Progeny of Not This Time were all the rage at the yearling sales this year, with his colts selling for an average of $731,909. Even two years ago, before the stallion's ascent to become the current second-leading sire in the country behind Into Mischief , his yearling colts brought an average of $319,108.
Yet somehow, Keith Desormeaux secured one for Ronald Ortowski's Rocker O Ranch for $75,000 from the Runnymede Farm consignment at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
On Nov. 22 at Churchill Downs, that colt—now age 3 and named Giocoso—became a millionaire in rallying to defeat Chapman's Peak by a head in the $299,800 Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3T). The victory was the fourth in his 13-race career and his second at the graded stakes level. His earnings now stand at $1,119,971.
"He's so smart and he gives you his heart and soul every race. You just gotta love him," Desormeaux said of his trainee.
Those who backed Giocoso ($9.48) had a right to feel optimistic as the race developed. Though Giocoso raced far back and was still eighth in the field of 10 leaving the second turn, jockey Jose Ortiz was being patient, reserving his mount's finish for the stretch run and a late burst. Cut loose, Giocoso responded, blowing past rivals and wearing down a gritty stretch leader in Chapman's Peak.
"I asked him to go little by little, and at the quarter pole when I tipped out, I could tell I had a ton of horse left," Ortiz said.
Closing to victory behind splits of :23.15, :47.66, and 1:11.67 set by early leader Outrunner, Giocoso ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.47 over turf classified as firm despite rain in recent days.
Outrunner held third, a length behind runner-up Chapman's Peak. Favored Troubleshooting, off awkwardly and keen in traffic into the first turn and down the backstretch, weakened to ninth.
Giocoso is 2-1-1 in seven races in 2025. His earlier victory this year came in the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes (G2T) Aug. 29 at Colonial Downs, which had been followed by competitive tries when second in the $1,897,778 Gun Runner Stakes Sept. 6 at Kentucky Downs and third in the $600,000 Bryan Station Stakes (G3T) Oct. 25 at Keeneland.
In 2024, he went 2-1-1 in six starts at 2, showing in the Iroquois Stakes (G3) on dirt at Churchill Downs.
Desormeaux said Giocoso would probably get a couple of months off before gearing up for racing in 2026.
"I want to get that grade 1 on turf, and then, if we can get a graded stakes on dirt, then his sire value goes through the roof," Desormeaux said.
Bred in Kentucky by Breed First, Giocoso is one of three winners from four foals of racing age out of the winning Fastnet Rock mare Nutcracker Suite. He is part of a classy group of 3-year-olds this year for Not This Time, joined by graded stakes-winning sophomores Troubleshooting, Magnitude, Disco Time, and Dream On. Not This Time will stand for a $250,000 fee in 2026 at Taylor Made Stallions near Nicholasville, Ky.
