Firewall pulled off a stunning upset in Saturday’s $250.000 Demoiselle Stakes (Grade II) at Aqueduct, rallying from fifth in the early stages to capture the 1 1/8-mile test for two-year-old fillies under Ricardo Santana Jr. for Mb Stables. The bay filly posted a final time of 1:52.69 over a muddy track, earning her second career victory from three starts. Making just her third career start and first attempt at 1 1/8 miles on dirt, Firewall demonstrated exceptional determination and stamina to secure the victory at significant odds, providing a massive return for connections and establishing herself as a legitimate contender on the Kentucky Oaks trail heading into 2026.

Flow & Calls

As the gates opened for the Demoiselle Stakes, the field broke into the muddy conditions with Wicked Angelina settling into tenth position under Lopez through the opening quarter mile in :48. Firewall, breaking from post five, occupied fifth in the early stages under Santana. Wild Water Wagon raced in eighth, while Ayita settled into ninth. Theresaplaceinfrance broke from post eight and raced in seventh early. Trickyster occupied third position, with Party Expert in ninth. Rosanova settled into fourth, while Indubita raced in fifth. Sinister Date brought up the rear in tenth as the field completed the opening quarter over the off track.

Through the half-mile marker reached in 1:13.1, Firewall had improved her position to first, taking command of the race. Wicked Angelina had made a significant move, advancing to sixth position. Wild Water Wagon continued from ninth, while Ayita raced in seventh. Theresaplaceinfrance had moved up to fifth, improving from her earlier position. Trickyster raced in second, tracking the leader. Party Expert occupied thirteenth position, while Rosanova continued from fourth. Indubita raced in fifth, and Sinister Date remained at the back in tenth.

As the field reached the mile marker in 1:39.1, Firewall continued to show the way on the front end, maintaining her advantage. Wicked Angelina had continued her forward move, advancing to fifth position and looming as a dangerous factor. Wild Water Wagon had moved up to seventh, beginning to make her presence felt. Ayita raced in eighth, while Theresaplaceinfrance occupied sixth. Trickyster remained in second, still tracking the leader. Party Expert had improved to third, while Rosanova continued from fourth. Indubita raced in seventh, and Sinister Date remained in tenth at the back of the pack.

In the final furlong, Firewall responded gamely to the challenge from the closers, digging in determinedly under Santana’s urging. Wicked Angelina mounted a strong rally, closing powerfully to secure second position but unable to catch the winner. Wild Water Wagon also finished with excellent determination to claim third after making up significant ground from the back of the pack. Ayita continued her forward momentum to finish fourth, while Theresaplaceinfrance held on for fifth after racing prominently throughout. Trickyster finished sixth after pressing the pace earlier, with Party Expert seventh. Rosanova completed the order in eighth, followed by Indubita in ninth and Sinister Date a distant tenth. The winner crossed the finish line one length in front of the runner-up.

Each Runner Mentioned

Firewall settled into fifth through the opening quarter in :48, improved to first at the half-mile marker in 1:13.1, continued to show the way at the mile marker in 1:39.1, and held off all challengers to win by one length in a final time of 1:52.69 for her second career victory.

Wicked Angelina raced in tenth through the opening quarter, advanced dramatically to sixth at the half-mile marker, moved up to fifth at the mile marker, and closed with powerful determination to claim second, beaten three-quarters of a length.

Wild Water Wagon settled in eighth through the opening quarter, continued from ninth at the half-mile marker, moved up to seventh at the mile marker, and rallied strongly in the stretch to finish third, beaten three lengths for second.

Ayita occupied ninth position through the opening quarter, raced in seventh at the half-mile marker, continued from eighth at the mile marker, and maintained her forward momentum to finish fourth.

Theresaplaceinfrance raced in seventh through the opening quarter, improved to fifth at the half-mile marker, occupied sixth at the mile marker, but flattened out in the stretch to finish fifth after showing speed throughout.

Trickyster pressed the pace in third through the opening quarter, moved up to second at the half-mile marker, maintained second at the mile marker, but retreated in the final furlong to finish sixth.

Party Expert occupied ninth position through the opening quarter, dropped back to thirteenth at the half-mile marker, improved to third at the mile marker, but faded to seventh in the stretch.

Rosanova raced in fourth through the opening quarter, maintained fourth at the half-mile marker, continued from fourth at the mile marker, but weakened to finish eighth.

Indubita settled into fifth through the opening quarter, maintained fifth at the half-mile marker, raced in seventh at the mile marker, and finished ninth, unable to threaten.

Sinister Date broke slowly and raced at the back in tenth throughout, never able to make up ground at any point in the race and finished a distant last in tenth.

Winner’s Profile & What’s Next

Firewall, a bay filly by Prevent out of Storm Of Fire, was bred and is owned by Mb Stables in California. The victory pushes her lifetime earnings to $198.000 with two wins from three career starts. Having proven her effectiveness at 1 1/8 miles in muddy conditions with this Grade II triumph, Firewall has established herself as an intriguing Kentucky Oaks contender heading into 2026. Connections could target additional Kentucky Oaks prep races such as the Grade II Rachel Alexandra Stakes at Fair Grounds or the Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks as they build toward the first Friday in May. Her ability to handle off tracks and rate kindly before finishing powerfully makes her a dangerous prospect as the three-year-old filly division begins to take shape for the spring classics.

Track: Muddy
Time: :48  1:13¹  1:39¹  1:52³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 5 – 10 Paid 181.90
$1 Trifecta: 5 – 10 – 1 Paid 524.10

Scratched: None

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES