The Vosburgh (Grade 3) (BC)- $250.00 Purse
BEL- For Three Year Olds and Upward
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
September 26, 2026

Two months ago, Pirate Bounty found himself running in a $20.00 claimer at SAR, even though he had success earlier in the year in bigger races, and even some ungraded stakes last year. Winning Link Stables would pick him up for that price, and it would be a winning move for the trainer, as he collects his bounty of a BC Sprint spot. This was his second start in his new barn, and followed up a third place run in the Grade 3 Bold Venture right before it, so at this rate, he may do more than simply be a part of the BC Sprint. This is the first in the race for Winning Link Stables and the second for jockey E J Zayas. Congratulations to them! The race was won in a time of 1:22.50 on the surface listed as good. Note that the weather was the probable cause to both Schopenhauer and Mighty being scratched. Here’s a look at the race!

(1/4 Mile- :22.59)- Blooming Attack takes charge of the race right from the start for Mb Stables and will clear the field by close to two lengths as they move down the backstretch. Behind him, running evenly for second, are his two stablemates, both Retaliate and Exploration Bay. The first non-Mb horse in the running order is our eventual winner from Winning Link Stables, Pirate Bounty. He’ll run close to the rail, and his content with his two length deficit at this time. Right behind him is the Royalty Stables- trained Inoue, with Threshold’s Hound Dog running in the middle of the field. To his outside, and about a length behind him, Magical Embrace (Gdp Inc.) and Haggis Smoothie (The Sidley Stud) run together. Spicy Chase (TwinTowersRacing) is next while closer to the rail, and his stablemate Nationalist trails the field.

(½ Mile- :46.01, Top of Stretch- 1.8F To Go)- It’s all Blooming Attack out in front as he runs close to the rail while rounding the turn with a graceful stride. He’ll enter the top of the stretch leading by a little more than a length. Right behind him, his stablemates, Retaliate and Exploration Bay were caught by Pirate Bounty, and these three will run together during the turn. As a group, they’ll begin to gain ground on the leader as they get set to begin the stretch run. No one else, for the moment, is gaining ground, as Inoue is by himself about three lengths back. Hound Dog and Haggis Smoothie look to be fading while Magical Embrace is lacking a push. Spicy Chase is the most interesting one at the back at the moment to keep an eye on. Nationalist still trails.

(Finish- 1:22.50)- Mb Stables is hoping that he could get his 1-2-3 finish as all of his runners are in a good position. However, Pirate Bounty was looking to swipe the treasure from that trainer, hanging with these rivals as a true spoiler. In the final furlong, it was looking better and better for Winning Link Stables, as one of his newest arrivals poked a head in front and now looked to hold off all of the competition. He would be able to do exactly that, grabbing the top prize, the winners share of the purse and the all important spot in the BC Sprint. Mb Stables is left with a 2-3-4 finish in the order of Exploration Bay, Blooming Attack, and Retaliate. No one else really emerged as a factor in this race, as it would be a length and a half from Retaliate to fifth place Inoue. The rest of the order will read Spicy Chase, Magical Embrace, Nationalist, Haggis Smoothie, and Hound Dog.

About The Winner- Pirate Bounty, trained by Winning Link Stables and ridden to victory by E J Zayas, is a five year old gelding by The Godfather and is out of Pirate Petranella. He was bred in Ontario by Smokey Stover as a yearling, and was acquired by Winning Link Stables, from Delta Farms, with a $20.00 claim this July. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his eighth in 24 starts and his first stake win of any type. His career earnings are now $334.91.

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES