First blacktype win for Salamis

Salamis did everything right while facing blacktype company for the first time on Sunday when besting Capitol Hill in the Gio Ponti Stakes at the Big A.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 29th September 2025:

The homebred colt exited the far outside stall, and was eased off the pace, settling in a distant fifth as Magic Pathway led through moderate opening fractions. Starting to move a bit closer approaching the final bend, Salamis had about six lengths to make up straightening for home. However, once he switched leads and got rolling, he proved hard to deny as he overhauled the pacesetter late and drew off to score by a length and a quarter over the hard-trying Capitol Hill.

"I had the intention of getting forward to try to avoid a bad draw, but then the pace was decent enough where I was able to tuck him in. Then from there, he gave me a good run," said winning rider Flavien Prat. "It wasn't a crazy pace, but it was honest where everyone kind of found a position without any trouble."

Fourth in his debut sprinting six and a half furlongs on the dirt at this venue last November, Salamis finished third on the turf in his next two, including an eight and a half furlong test at Keeneland on 13th April.

"I thought last time when he won at Saratoga, he showed some good turn of foot," said Prat. "I really loved the way he ran, just repeated that."

Grade 1-winning Antonoe, who is also responsible for multiple Graded winner and Grade 1-placed Segesta, has a juvenile filly by Gun Runner in addition to a yearling full sister to Salamis. She was bred to Justify in 2025.