Formidable Man's timing at Del Mar is impeccable. He has never lost at the track, as he brought his Del Mar record to 5-for-5 in the July 27 Eddie Read Stakes (G2T). Even better, he could have a chance to showcase his fondness for the oval at this year's Breeders' Cup.
Beginning with his winning debut in 2023 at Del Mar, Formidable Man, under the tutelage of trainer Michael McCarthy, added trophies in the 2024 Oceanside Stakes, Del Mar Derby (G2T), and Hollywood Derby (G1T). He went off as the 4-5 favorite in the Read against five others after the scratch of 2023 Read winner Gold Phoenix and Atitlan.
Mike Smith put Cabo Spirit on the lead from the start, a tactic he had used in the March 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1T) at Santa Anita. It didn't work against Formidable Man in that race, and it didn't work this time either, despite possible tight quarters for Formidable Man on the rail.
Formidable Man has come from as far back as ninth at Del Mar, but he raced in third this time under regular rider Umberto Rispoli. The question became whether he would be able to get out in the stretch.
"I knew Cabo Spirit is a horse that can drift out," Rispoli said. "I was waiting for the gap to open, and the horse did the rest."
Cabo Spirit did indeed drift out turning into the stretch, engaging with Balladeer, who had made a big move on the second turn. Rispoli urged Formidable Man to take advantage, which the colt did eagerly, bounding through a large hole to score by a length in 1:48.55. Cabo Spirit, third in the Kilroe, finished second, with Stay Hot third.
"Since Michael decided to take the blinkers off (for the win in the Kilroe two starts back), I think he's a different horse," Rispoli said. "He's more tactical—you can ride him wherever you want. We actually decided to be closer to the pace today with a six-horse field. We didn't want to be too far back."
McCarthy not only conditions Formidable Man for owners William and Suzanne Warren of Tulsa, Okla., he trained the colt's sire, City of Light , for them as well.
"I couldn't be happier for them," McCarthy said. "Obviously, they're not here today. We're missing them, and we'll get them on the next one."
That could come in one of several turf stakes later in the Del Mar meeting.
"We'll see what the next couple of weeks bring," McCarthy said. "There is the Del Mar Mile (G2, Aug. 30) and a couple of races like that. We'll space his races out. He's a fresh horse."
McCarthy bought Formidable Man, as agent, for $375,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from Taylor Made Sales Agency. Town & Country Horse Farms bred Formidable Man in Kentucky from Fanticola, a Silent Name mare who also broke her maiden on the Del Mar turf. At Santa Anita, she captured the 2015 Royal Heroine Stakes (G2T) and Megahertz Stakes.
Formidable Man, champion Fierceness, Benedetta, Blue Light, and Rich City Girl are 2025 stakes winners sired by City of Light. For McCarthy, City of Light won the 2018 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), 2019 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), and three other stakes. The stallion stood the 2025 season for $35,000 at Lane's End near Versailles, Ky.
