Mensa (Complexity), who fetched a then-record $740,000 on the Fasig-Tipton Digital platform from John Stewart’s Resolute Racing 13 days after an impressive debut victory in the colors of D J Stable over the Gulfstream Tapeta Apr. 12, atoned for a down-the-field effort when well-backed in the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes last time with a dominating score in Friday’s Victoria Stakes at Woodbine.
Off as the second betting choice behind stable companion Into Diamonds (Into Mischief)–himself a first-out winner sprinting on the turf at Keeneland Apr. 25–Mensa was soon in front and traveled supremely well with Patrick Husbands riding tall in the saddle. Widening on the lead while his rivals were hard at it behind him, Mensa was never asked for a serious effort in the lane and cruised home to score as a mile the best.
“He started pulling away, and I was like, ‘This is awesome,’” said Stewart, who was on hand for the race. “I know there are different tactics for different horses, but he ran a great race. He really did it easy. We’re seeing some good things out of him. We’re really excited for what is next in store.”
Mensa is the second stakes winner in the last six days for his first-crop sire (by Maclean’s Music), joining GIII Sanford Stakes hero Mo Plex. The winning dam has two full black-type winners and another stakes-placed horse from her four foals to race and was most recently bred to Nashville. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
VICTORIA S., C$127,000, Woodbine, 7-19, 2yo, 5 1/2f (AWT), 1:04.60, ft.
1–MENSA, 122, r, 2, by Complexity
1st Dam: Lady Halite, by Medaglia d’Oro
2nd Dam: Ada’s Dream, by Touch Gold
3rd Dam: Perfect Six, by Saratoga Six
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. ($135,000 Ylg ’23 OBSOCT; $740,000 2yo ’24 FTFADM). O-Resolute Racing; B-Beth Bayer (FL); T-Mark E Casse; J-Patrick Husbands. C$75,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $102,007. *1/2 to Recruiter (Army Mule), MSW, $254,585. **Second stakes winner for freshman sire (by Maclean’s Music).
2–Into Diamonds, 122, c, 2, Into Mischief–Diamond Sparkles, by War Front. 1ST BLACK-TYPE. O/B-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Gary Barber (KY); T-Mark E Casse. C$25,000.
3–Shadow Factor, 122, g, 2, The Factor–Amy Farah Fowler, by Astrology. 1ST BLACK-TYPE. O/B/T-Ron G Potts (PA). C$13,750.
Margins: 7 1/4, NO, 2HF. Odds: 1.65, 1.30, 13.25.
Also Ran: Empower, Your Valentino, Sol de Verano.
