Jupiter Stable's Phileas Fogg took command at the start and never looked back, securing a second consecutive victory in the $500,000 Suburban Stakes (G2) July 4 at Saratoga Race Course.
The 6-year-old gelded son of Astern set a modest :23.93 opening split for the 1 1/4-mile race on the fast main track. Longshot Yo Daddy and Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes (G2) winner Forged Steel stalked just in behind for much of the race before fading late.
Phileas Fogg quickly responded to rider Kendrick Carmouche's urging and took off about 3 furlongs from the finish, opening up through the stretch to win by 10 lengths. He posted a final time of 2:01.70 and paid $19.82 to win on a $2 ticket.
Last year's Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Hit Show rallied to grab second and 2025 Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Tiztastic closed to grab third.
Favored Antiquarian had to settle for fourth after a troubled break.
"He stumbled at the start, nothing I can tell you. I was not supposed to be that far back. Today, it didn't go our way," Antiquarian's jockey John Velazquez said.
Meanwhile, Phileas Fogg was just getting started and, posted fractions of :48.59, 1:12.57, and 1:36.64. From that point on, it was all over as the gelding was let loose by Carmouche and pulled away with ease down the lane.
"By the time I turned on the backside, I knew the race was won," Carmouche said. "My horse was taking me. At no part during the race he was straining. I just had to wait to pull the trigger. I didn’t even do that. I just let him go a little."
Trainer Gustavo Rodriguez had confidence in the horse following his win in last year's edition.
"The way he ran today, I thought he was going to run good, but to win the race and the way he did it, I didn't expect that," Rodriguez said.
Bred by Godolphin out of the More Than Ready unraced mare Merino and a debut winner for Godolphin as owner, Phileas Fogg has been victorious for all who have raced him. After Godolphin sold him for $55,000 in 2023 at the Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale, he won three races for trainer Jimmy Toner and owner AJ Suited Racing Stable before his achievements for Rodriguez and Jupiter Stable.
His current connections claimed him for $62,500 in the summer of 2024.
Phileas Fogg banked $275,000 in victory, earning millionaire status with $1,170,373 in career earnings and an 11-5-1 record in 24 career starts.
Astern initially stood for Darley, Godolphin's stallion operation, at Kelvinside Farm in New South Wales, Australia, and shuttled to Jonabell Farm near Lexington. In late 2024, he was sold to stand in Turkey. Phileas Fogg is his first graded winner in 2026.
