Scarlett Begonia, Antivenom Blossom at Ellis Park

This column highlights the performances of 2- and 3-year-old maidens (the latter category only through June) who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are graded/group winners, or have dams that are graded/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners, in particular, who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners. Two nicely bred juveniles became BloodHorse Maiden Watch qualifiers with comfortable debut victories in recent days at Ellis Park. Antivenom, a son of Candy Ride (ARG), broke his maiden July 4 before the Life Is Good filly Scarlett Begonia followed suit two days later. Both 2-year-olds, sent off as heavy favorites following a series of sharp morning drills for prominent connections, defeated straight maiden competition over 5 1/2 furlongs on a fast Ellis Park main track. Scarlett Begonia recorded the quicker final time, stopping the clock in 1:04.94 compared with Antivenom's 1:05.52. She earned a 90 Equibase Speed Figure and a 67 Beyer Speed Figure, while Antivenom received a 79 Equibase Speed Figure and a 53 Beyer Speed Figure. D. J. Stable's Antivenom ($3.20), trained by Hall of Famer Mark Casse, sparred inside of runner-up Subjugation through the opening three-eighths before the chestnut asserted his class and widened his advantage to 3 1/2 lengths at the wire under a hand ride from Francisco Arrieta. Posted fractions were moderate at :23.76, :47.63, and :59.49. Hat Creek Racing, Ashview Farm, and Upland Flats Racing's Scarlett Begonia ($3.30) uncorked a late rally in her unveiling for trainer Brad Cox and jockey Luan Machado. The dark bay or brown filly could not keep up early behind a fast pace, falling 5 lengths behind the dueling leaders, but kicked into gear late on the turn before sweeping to the front and drawing away by 3 3/4 lengths. Splits of :22.35 and :46.14 set the table for Scarlett Begonia and other off-the-pace runners, who grabbed the minor awards. Antivenom, purchased by D. J. Stable from the Gainesway consignment at the 2025 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale, brought $850,000 as the second-highest-priced hip of that sale and the highest-priced Candy Ride yearling colt sold in 2025. Bred in Kentucky by Liberty Road Stables, the colt is out of Unrivaled Princess, a daughter of 2010 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (G1) winner Unrivaled Belle and a half sister to multiple grade 1 winner Unique Bella. His unraced dam has now produced two winners from three starters and four foals of racing age. READ: Candy Ride Colt Shines at Fasig-Tipton October "Mark Casse and (consultant) Kim Valerio rarely say to us 'This is the horse to buy,' and they both independently came to that same conclusion," Green told BloodHorse last fall. "Both of them said to us in no uncertain terms, if you're coming to the sale with the idea of buying a top, two-turn colt, the list begins and ends with this horse." Candy Ride, age 27, has sired 20 grade 1 winners, including 2025 Dubai World Cup (G1) victor Hit Show. The veteran stallion stood the 2026 breeding season for $60,000 at Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky. 'Begonia a Budding Prospect for Life Is Good Scarlett Begonia, bred in Kentucky by Gray Lyster and Gatewood Bell, failed to meet her reserve on two occasions: first, when bidding topped out at $285,000 during the 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and later this year at $220,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. She remains co-owned by Lyster and Bell, who are affiliated with Ashview Farm and Hat Creek Racing, respectively. Scarlett Begonia is one of five winners from six starters produced by the stakes-placed Daaher mare Asiya. Her standout offspring is Zaajel (Street Sense), winner of the Mother Goose Stakes (G2) and Forward Gal Stakes (G3) as a 3-year-old in 2021. Like Scarlett Begonia, Zaajel was also victorious on debut. Life Is Good, North America's leading first-crop sire, stood the 2026 breeding season for $60,000 at WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky.