Soldier N Diplomat Holds On In Debut for Saratoga Win

When Army Mule (Friesan Fire) made his first start at Belmont Park for owner St. Elias Stable in April 2017, he did so as the 1.55-1 favorite, a price that in retrospect looked generous, given his dominating performance and 8 1/2-length win. Army Mule’s son Soldier N Diplomat didn’t deliver a debut quite that impressive, but St. Elias’ Vinnie Viola nonetheless has high hopes for the 2-year-old, who won by a neck at Saratoga Race Course on July 26. Viola paid $950,000 for the dark bay colt earlier this year at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March 2-Year-Olds in Training sale, $125,000 more than his sire’s 2-year-old sales price at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale. “This colt’s breeze is one of the most exceptional 2-year-old breezes I’ve ever seen at a sale,” said bloodstock agent Steve Young. “His father was a 2-year-old training freak and he tried to emulate his dad.” The executive director of racehorse development for St. Elias, Monique Delk, did the bidding and signed the ticket for Soldier N Diplomat. “He was one of the best horses in the sale,” she said. “I love that he carried his class here (Saturday), and he has such a great mind. We’re over the moon, and I think he’ll improve off this race.” The start of the race, comprising eight first-time starters, was slightly delayed by a balky Further Ado, a delay that had little effect on Soldier N Diplomat, who broke from post 4 under José Ortiz. They sat off the early pacesetters Vino Vici and Exhibition Only, challenging them coming around the final turn and into the stretch. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Soldier N Diplomat put them away and was challenged late by Accost, who lived up to his name trying to get to the front, but Soldier N Diplomat hung on, running the 6 furlongs in 1:11.87. “We were a little nervous,” said Delk about the slight delay. “You hope that everyone is safe, and with a field full of first-time starters, anything can happen. Based on this race, he looks like he’ll rate. We’re excited.” Both Delk and Viola said that they were surprised at the bidding on the horse, but also determined to bring him home. “I didn’t think that he’d go for that much,” said Delk, “but I was willing to go to it because we loved him so much.” “In today’s market, they’re always going to cost more,” said Viola. “It seems like the real good teams come down on the same horses, and you’ve got to pay what the market tells you. I’m happy we got him.” Soldier N Diplomat was bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall, and he’s out of the unraced Violence mare Diplomatic Miss, purchased by the breeder for $45,000 at the 2019 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages sale. Soldier N Diplomat is her third foal to make it to the races and second winner. Army Mule’s career was short and brilliant: he won his three races by a combined 22 1/4 lengths, his final start in the Carter Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack. He was retired in 2019 to stand at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms, where he stood the 2025 season for $20,000. His best runner by earnings is Danse Macabre, a graded stakes winner who has banked $1 million in purses and who has finished out of the top three only twice in 15 starts. “Soldier N Diplomat looks just like Army Mule,” said Viola. “He’s a little broader and he thinks like his sire does. I don’t think people realize that Army Mule had a magnificent mind. That’s why we decided to go forward with him as a sire. His mind was really what made him.”