Phoenix (Grade 2) (BC)- $400.00 Purse
KEE- For Three Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
October 2, 2026

Prior to running in the Phoenix, Tony T had always been able to find the winner’s circle, but the vast majority of that came in allowances. When running in graded stakes, the gelding was competitive in most, but was never able to pick up a victory in one. The Phoenix was just his second start with Rock Creek, and the new trainer finally got him over that hurdle, as Tony T pulled out an impressive length victory. He was not among our picks, and the bettors had more confidence with him, making him the third choice on the board. The big payoff, for both purse and entry into the BC Sprint belongs to Rock Creek, who earns his first win in the race, and that is also true for jockey E Jaramillo. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:08.56, the third quickest in the race’s history. Here’s a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :22.00)- Schopenhauer goes out to the race lead for Maxmillion Farm, and is clear by a length over the Ire Iron Stables- trained Crypto King, who begins a push along the outside, as well as High Voltage’s Archiduque, who is running along the rail. It’s tight to his inside, as our eventual race winner from Rock Creek, Tony T is right up against the rail while having the D J C Racing Stables- trained Resurgent immediately to his outside. A few lanes over, Teen Angel Party (Nakamura Stables) runs evenly to them. Not much further back, we have Star Vault (Mb Stables), Salah (Royalty Stables), and Normandy (Spankys Barn). Behind them, it’s Edged Out (TwinTowersRacing), followed by I Want It All (Luz International) and Mighty (John Henry).

(½ Mile- :44.87)- Crypto King makes the pass of Schopenhauer early in the turn while running on the far outside, and he will end up handling the turn in the fifth lane. Schopenhauer isn’t going to go away, hanging in there half a length back in second, all the while we see Tony T inching forward just enough with every stride. He’s pulled away from Resurgent, and Teen Angel Party drops back. For now, Archiduque is continuing to be within a length and a half front the front. The field is congested in the middle of the pack, with the likes of Star Vault, Salah, and Normandy still looking for their time to strike while having Edged Out right behind them. I Want It All and Mighty still trail.

(Finish- 1:08.56)- Tony T would continue to draw closer to the front early in the stretch, and with a furlong to go, he would claim the top spot from Crypto King. That one and Schopenhauer were running well enough to still compete for a check, and Resurgent wasn’t done yet. Behind him, there’s quite a traffic jam. In the run to the wire, Tony T would outkick the competition, as there would be no new challengers from behind. The victory clinches his spot in the BC Sprint! Second will be a dead heat between Schopenhauer and Normandy, who emerged from the pack with less obstruction in the outside lane. There’s a total of five horses in that photo, as Star Vault gets the headbob Salah for the fourth place check, and Crypto King winding up as the loser in that phot, sixth. Resurgent, Teen Angel Party, and a late coming I Want It All weren’t beaten by much, either. Mighty gets by Edged Out and Archiduque at the back.

About The Winner- Tony T, trained by Rock Creek and ridden to victory by E Jaramillo, is a six year old horse by Storming and is out of the late Plucky Personality. He was bred by Wood Duck Stables as a third quarter two year old in California, and was acquired by Rock Creek from Riggins Racing about six weeks ago in private sales for $125.00 Congratulations to the connections! The win is his twelfth in 24 starts, his third stake win and first graded win. His career earnings are now $536.98.

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES