Kennedy Road Stakes (Grade 2)- $200.00 Purse
WO- For Three Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
November 14, 2026

The field for the Kennedy Road Stakes was exceptionally balanced, so it was a surprise to see horse wind up as a 2/5 favorite. People were very confident in Safe Di as the Safecracker gelding returned to the dirt for the first time since June. Safe Di would then go out and show that he was worthy of that support, winning by a length. We had the top two picked correctly for the race, just in the wrong order, and that $3.60 exacta payout is not one to get excited about afterwards. Doing the celebrating, however, is Gdp Inc, who wins his first graded stake since July 2024 when the late Training Wheels did it right here in Connaught Cup. It is his first win in this race, as well. Aboard the winner was P Moran, also winning the race for the first time and making his virtual dad, a three-time Kennedy Road winner, proud. Congratulations to them! The race was won in a time of 1:08.47, the second quickest in Kennedy Road history. Let’s take a look at it now!

(1/4 Mile- :22.28)- Propel goes out to the front for Maxmillion Farm, and will lead by a length as they work down the backstretch. Stalking the pace, and running evenly with one another are Coronado Beach and Illusionary Artist, who are trained by Family Racing and Nakamura Stables, respectively. Right behind them, it’s YME Stable’s Bondarchuk, and only a length behind are our final two, including our eventual race winner from Gdp Inc., Safe Di, as The Sidley Stud’s Limpopo keeps pace. There’s a little less than three lengths total, separating the entire field.

(½ Mile- :45.38, Top of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- About midway into the turn, Illusionary Artist would creep up to the inside of Propel, and would complete the pass for the lead on exit of the turn. It’s close for second now at the top of the stretch, as Coronado Artist and Bondarchuk have also moved up and now the three of them (Propel, the other) run evenly. Safe Di also looks to get a little closer, but P Moran will be hoping for a lane to open up in the stretch. Limpopo’s only option was to go five wide, which he looks to do.

(Finish- 1:08.47)- With around a furlong to go, P Moran would get his wish, as Illusionary Artist drifted over enough to create a wide enough opening. Safe Di would take advantage, getting on that gap as quickly as he could. While this was going on, Bondarchuk, who had been running in the fourth lane, pushed to the lead by a nose. You still couldn’t count out Coronado Beach or Propel at this point, and Limpopo tried to make the wide lane work. Getting closer to the wire, Bondarchuk was likely happy to prevail over Illusionary Artist, but that was no longer the concern. Safe Di had plenty saved up for this stage of the race, and had a power in his stride that no one else could match. He could have kept going and drawing away, but his win is still a convincing length at the time they hit the wire. Bondarcuk is a clear second, with Illusionary Artist dropping to third. Limpopo is the best of the rest, but never threatened for more, as both Propel and Coronado Beach struggled significantly in the waning moments.

About The Winner- Safe Di, trained by Gdp Inc., and ridden to victory by P Moran, is a six year old gelding by Safecracker and is out of Di Trapazini. He was bred by Gdp Inc as a first quarter two year old in California, the only trainer for which he has ever known! Congratulations to the connections! The win is his sixth in 21 starts, his second stake win and first graded win. His career earnings are now $401.99.

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES