Leland Ackerley may be in Anguilla, but on July 5 his attention was focused on a place far to the north.
As the head of Leland Ackerley Racing was enjoying some sun and fun with his family during an Independence Day weekend vacation in the Eastern Caribbean, his stable grew significantly stronger.
Ackerley's aptly named Obliteration once again lived up to his name as he smashed five rivals with a 10 1/2-length victory in the $175,000 Sanford Stakes (G3) for 2-year-olds at Saratoga Race Course.
"Mr. Ackerley was bummed he couldn't be here. He's texting me right now," said John Cilia, racing manager for Ackerley. "He'll be here for the next one I guarantee you."
Whether that next one will be the Aug. 2 Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) or the Sept. 1 Hopeful Stakes (G1) at the Spa is up to Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, but wherever Obliteration turns up he's certain to be a center of attention.
In his June 12 debut at Churchill Downs, the son of Violence obliterated seven rivals, winning by 7 1/2 lengths and explaining his role as a 4-5 favorite ($3.80) in the six-furlong Sanford.
"I didn't expect this. That's about as professional of an effort as you can hope for. We're honored to win the Sanford. Secretariat won the Sanford. Affirmed won the Sanford. It's nice to have a good 2-year-old at Saratoga. It's such a thrill," Cilia said. "Steve says he does everything right. He acts like an older horse. Nothing bothers him. He does what he needs to do."
In the Sanford, Obliteration merely needed to flash his early speed to annex his first graded stakes win.
Breaking quickly from post 2 with Flavien Prat, Obliteration shot to the lead with Tremont Stakes runner-up Blinging It Back alongside through fractions of :22.74 and :45.56.
Turning for home, the colt bred by Ocala Stud in Kentucky spurted away from Blinging It Back and blew up the race. He extended to a six-length lead at the eighth pole and was never challenged in covering the six furlongs in a quick 1:10.65.
Gary Barber and Peter Deutsch's Blinging It Back held for second. The son of Volatile is trained by Mark Casse, who unveiled a rather exciting 2-year-old prospect of his own in Ewing, a son of Knicks Go who scored by 12 lengths in Saturday's first race while making his debut for D. J. Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Kenneth Frierich.
There was a gap of 3 1/4 lengths from the Sanford runner-up to the slow-starting Imagine John in third. Owned by Pure Bred Funding and Jason Lorenz, the son of Maclean's Music is trained by Jena Antonucci.
Obliteration is out of the Master Command mare I'mclassyandsassy and was bought for $200,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. He is a half brother to stakes winners Sassy Beast and Pure Class (both by The Big Beast ) and one of eight winners, five of which are stakes performers, from his dam. She also has a Girvin yearling filly and a 2025 Elite Power colt.
Video
