Weaponize delivered a stunning upset in Saturday’s $250.000 Holy Bull Stakes (Grade III), overcoming considerable odds to capture the crucial 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Derby prep race at Gulfstream Park. The black three-year-old colt by Calling All Angels had shown promise with his third-place finish in the Jerome Stakes earlier in January, but few expected him to defeat a field loaded with more accomplished runners including Grade I performers and Breeders’ Cup participants. Racing for owner D J C Racing Stables with Patrick Husbands in the saddle, Weaponize demonstrated tremendous determination and tactical brilliance, stalking the pace before unleashing a powerful stretch drive to secure valuable Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a good main track. The victory marked his second career win and established him as a legitimate contender on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, validating connections’ patient approach with the talented colt after his Jerome Stakes effort at Aqueduct.

Flow & Calls

As the gates opened for the Holy Bull Stakes, Alpert broke alertly to establish early positioning through an opening quarter-mile in :23.1 seconds. The lone maiden winner in the field showed surprising gate speed as Centeno sent him to the front. Westerly Invasion, the Remington Park Springboard Mile winner, settled into second position under Castillo’s handling. Jacobs raced in third, with Ideal Hero also showing tactical speed to position himself prominently in the early stages. Liams Map settled into mid-pack from his fifth post position, while Weaponize found a comfortable tracking position under Husbands’ confident handling. Sweet N Spicy raced in the second flight, with Bells N Whistles also settling into mid-pack. Superior Palace, the betting favorite, broke from the outside and settled toward the back of the field. Justified also found himself in the second division, while Immunity System brought up the rear in the early going.

Through the half mile in :47.2 seconds, Alpert continued to show the way under Centeno, setting honest fractions while maintaining his advantage. Westerly Invasion remained in closest pursuit, tracking the leader from second position. Jacobs held third, racing within striking distance of the front-runners. Ideal Hero maintained his position in fourth, while Liams Map began to advance from mid-pack. Weaponize improved his position steadily, moving into contention under Husbands’ patient handling. Justified started to make ground from the second division, while Bells N Whistles also began his rally. Sweet N Spicy held his position in the second flight, with Superior Palace still racing toward the back of the field. Immunity System continued to trail the field through the middle stages.

Approaching the stretch after six furlongs in 1:12.1 seconds, the race developed into a thrilling battle for supremacy as the field bunched for the stretch drive. Alpert maintained a narrow advantage as Centeno asked him for his best effort, but the field was closing rapidly. Westerly Invasion moved up to challenge from second, while Weaponize loomed ominously with a powerful move from mid-pack. Jacobs remained in contention from third, and Ideal Hero stayed within striking distance. Liams Map continued to advance, while Justified launched a strong bid from off the pace. Bells N Whistles made steady progress from the second division, and Superior Palace began his rally from the back of the field. Sweet N Spicy looked to improve his position, while Immunity System found himself outrun by the front-runners.

In the final furlong, Weaponize displayed a devastating turn of foot under Husbands’ confident handling, surging past the leaders to take command and opening up by one length at the wire. The colt dug in gamely and drew clear in impressive fashion. Justified closed powerfully from off the pace, getting up for second by two lengths. Bells N Whistles rallied steadily to secure third. Jacobs held fourth after his prominent early position. Westerly Invasion faded after pressing the pace throughout to finish fifth, just a nose behind. Liams Map stayed on for sixth, another neck back. Ideal Hero completed the course in seventh. Immunity System finished eighth. Sweet N Spicy disappointed in ninth after his Jerome Stakes placing. Superior Palace endured a stunning defeat as the betting favorite, finishing tenth. Alpert stopped badly after his pace-setting effort to finish eleventh in his stakes debut.

Each Runner Mentioned

Weaponize delivered the performance of his career, demonstrating tactical brilliance and a powerful finishing kick to capture the Grade III Holy Bull Stakes and earn valuable Kentucky Derby qualifying points. The black colt by Calling All Angels out of True Disinformation was bred by D J C Racing Stables in California and is owned by D J C Racing Stables. With lifetime earnings now standing at $194.320 from five career starts that include two victories, one second, and one third, Weaponize has established himself as a legitimate contender on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. His pedigree combines the versatility of Calling All Angels with solid stamina influences in his female family, creating a talented runner capable of competing at the highest levels of three-year-old competition. His proven effectiveness at two-turn racing with victories at 1 1/16 miles confirms his suitability for the classic distance, making him an intriguing prospect as the Kentucky Derby trail continues.

Justified ran an excellent race in defeat, closing powerfully from off the pace to secure second. His effort confirmed his progression through the ranks and suggests continued success on the Kentucky Derby trail.

Bells N Whistles rallied steadily to secure third place, demonstrating his effectiveness at two-turn racing and confirming his status as a legitimate Kentucky Derby prep contender.

Jacobs held fourth after racing prominently throughout, gaining valuable graded stakes experience in just his second route attempt.

Westerly Invasion disappointed as one of the favorites, fading after pressing the pace to finish fifth, raising questions about his current form.

Liams Map stayed on for sixth after being gelded earlier in January, his effort suggesting the recent procedure may have affected his performance.

Ideal Hero finished seventh in his two-turn debut, the stretch-out from six furlongs proving challenging for the Pennsylvania-bred colt.

Immunity System completed the course in eighth, never threatening the leaders in this competitive Grade III stakes assignment.

Sweet N Spicy endured a disappointing ninth-place finish after his Jerome Stakes placing, unable to reproduce his earlier form.

Superior Palace suffered a stunning defeat as the betting favorite in tenth, his effort raising serious questions about his current condition.

Alpert stopped badly to finish eleventh after his pace-setting effort, the significant step up in class from maiden company proving overwhelming in his stakes debut.

Track: Good
Time: :23¹  :47²  1:12¹  1:43²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 9 – 2 Paid 322.30
$1 Trifecta: 9 – 2 – 8 Paid 1,265.80

Scratched: Lesnar

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES