Harris Farms' first-crop sire Halladay , a grade 1-winning son of international sire War Front , got his first winner when his 2-year-old gelded son Arkadelphia won Aug. 22 at Del Mar.
California-bred Arkadelphia was making his fifth lifetime start in the open maiden special weight race going five furlongs on the turf.
Owned by Harrell Ventures and trained by Luis Mendez, Arkadelphia was hustled out of the gate by rider Edwin Maldonado. He established an early length lead that he would never surrender. Bet down to 4-5 favoritism off a half-length loss at the same class level and distance, Arkadelphia set fractions of :22.74 and :45.99. He gamely completed five furlongs on the firm turf in :57.87.
Bred by HV Bloodstock, Arkadelphia is the first foal out of the winning City Zip mare Chili Petin. Arkadelphia went through the California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's 2024 Northern California Yearling Sale but was listed as not sold on final bid of $27,000. Friday's win lifted his career earnings to $107,460.
Halladay is out of the multiple grade 3-winning Tapit mare Hightap. He was bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds and Winchell Thoroughbreds. Halladay also raced for Harrell Ventures and was trained by Todd Pletcher. His most important win came in the 2020 Fourstardave Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
Halladay's stud fee has stood at $7,500 since his retirement. He had 45 foals in his first crop.
