Wicked Runner First Black-Type Winner for Wicked Strong

Sonata Stable's Wicked Runner became the first black-type winner for Spendthrift Farm's freshman sire Wicked Strong  Sept. 1 when he won the Clasico Jose Coll Vidal Stakes at Camarero Race Track in Puerto Rico.

Trained by Jose Velez, Wicked Runner left the gate in third but soon moved up to settle behind the leader as a quarter-mile went in :23.59 and a half-mile went in :46.50. Coming off the turn, the colt stalled a bit but was then shifted to the outside where he gamely closed on the frontrunner. As the pair came to the wire, Wicked Runner got a neck in front for a final time of 1:11.55 over a fast track.

Bred in Kentucky by George E. Bates Trustee, Wicked Runner is the first foal out of the El Corredor mare Herman's Wildcat.

B. Wayne Hughes' Spendthrift Farm acquired the breeding rights to Wicked Strong in 2015 just prior to his retirement to stud for the 2016 breeding season.

The 8-year-old son of Hard Spun  was campaigned by Centennial Farms during his racing career under trainer Jimmy Jerkens. Wicked Strong won the Twinspires.com Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) in stakes-record time before taking a swing at the 3-year-old classics.

After a tough trip in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), where he stumbled at the break and overcame traffic to finish fourth behind California Chrome , he returned to New York for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes (G1) and had to overcome a wide trip to finish in a dead heat with California Chrome for fourth, beaten just 1 3/4 lengths. Wicked Strong went on to enjoy a strong summer at Saratoga Race Course, winning the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) over Tonalist  before missing by a nose to stablemate V. E. Day  in the Travers Stakes (G1).

Bred in Kentucky by William F. Lynn, Wicked Strong is out of the Charismatic mare Moyne Abbey. He retired with a record of 3-4-3 from 19 starts for earnings of $1,994,460. His 2019 stud fee was $7,500.