Battle of Normandy Gives City of Light a Turf Win

For Bill Farish, it was three wins rolled into one. It was a highly satisfying trifecta that started when Battle of Normandy surged to a 2 1/4-length victory in the Aug. 6 opening race at Saratoga Race Course. Not only does Farish's Woodford Racing own the 2-year-old colt in partnership with West Point Thoroughbreds, but the debut winner is a son of first crop stallion City of Light, who stands at the Farish family's Lane's End Farm. And, for the cherry on top, Battle of Normany was bred by Gage Hill Stables and his father, Will Farish, out of the Kitten's Joy mare Adorable Miss. "I told Bill Farish it was a big win in a lot of ways for him," said winning trainer Shug McGaughey. The victory by the McGaughey-trained colt in the 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight test for 2-year-olds on turf accounted for City of Light's third winner. It was also the new sire's first victor on turf, which could pay a quick dividend in a couple of days when The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's sale of selected yearlings in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., begins. "It's a bit of a turfy family, so this isn't much of surprise. It's great to get a win for City of Light, especially with the way he did it and the sale right around the corner," Farish said. "It's a huge day for Woodford Racing and West Point. It's very exciting." Battle of Normandy was raised at Lane's End, which spurred Bill Farish to team with West Point and purchase Battle of Normandy for $500,000 at the 2021 Saratoga Sale. "We raised him, so we knew him pretty well," Farish said. "He was always one of our favorites, so when we got to the sale, we put together a group to buy him." While City of Light was a Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) winner, McGaughey opted for a debut on turf after working Battle of Normandy on the grass a couple of times at Saratoga. "I liked his demeanor and the way he moved on turf," the Hall of Fame trainer said. "That's a good thing about Saratoga that you can work a horse like him on turf. I really didn't know what to expect today, but I'm not surprised." McGaughey said the possible targets for the City of Light colt include the Aug. 31 With Anticipation Stakes (G3T) at Saratoga, a 1 1/16-mile test on turf for 2-year-olds. Ridden by Kendrick Carmouche, Battle of Normandy ($8.60) was timed in 1:45.06 on firm turf. Battle of Normandy is the first winner for Adorable Miss. She also has a Twirling Candy yearling colt and a 2022 colt from War of Will.