Webslinger Storms Home in Nownownow Stakes

Webslinger  is a maiden no more. In fact, the 2-year-old son of Constitution   could well be headed to the Breeders' Cup next.

That's how quickly fortunes can change in horse racing.

Coming off a troubled runner-up finish in his second career start for trainer Mark Casse and D. J. Stable in maiden special weight company in a turf sprint at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 31, Webslinger stormed past 2-5 favorite Oxymore  in deep stretch and went on to a half-length victory in the $510,000 Nownownow Stakes Sept. 17 for 2-year-olds at Monmouth Park.

The winning time for the mile over a firm turf course was 1:35.09.

"Mark wanted to try this because of his race at Saratoga in his last start," said Shane Trip, Casse's assistant. "He got in so much trouble that day and still closed strong the last quarter mile. He got put in the hedge and was (near last).

"It was a little bit of a gamble since this horse was a maiden, but the way he ran his last start, to get in all that trouble and still get second at 5 1/2 furlongs, Mark felt good about trying him here."

#10 Webslinger breaks his maiden in the Nownownow Stakes and pays $30! Favored Oxymore runs second. Another winner for @WinStarFarm stallion Constitution. pic.twitter.com/XTxBzCrDpE

— TVG (@TVG) September 17, 2022

Ridden by Dylan Davis, Webslinger again showed the late run he only hinted at in his last start, roaring off the turn just as the Chad Brown-trained Oxymore was beginning to get away from the other eight freshman runners. But Oxymore's first try at two turns came up just short, outkicked by Webslinger's rally.

Let's Go Big Blue  was another 21/2 lengths back in third.

"Oxymore was a difficult horse to beat. He's very talented. But my horse showed his ability," Davis said.

With Power Attack  setting early fractions of :22.09 and :46.45 and Oxymore stalking him, Davis played a waiting game with Webslinger. When Oxymore emerged from the pack after the three quarters in 1:09.34, Davis asked his colt for more.

Bred in Kentucky by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey out of the Hard Spun   mare Arana , Webslinger was a $50,000 purchase by Leonard Green's D. J. Stable at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company June 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale.

"I kept him covered up and was able to make that one run," Davis said. "I thought there was a lot of speed on paper, and they did go pretty fast early ... at the half-mile pole I wanted to come outside to see what we had. I saw Oxymore was starting to inch away coming out of that second turn, so I wanted to get him into a spot where he could make a clear run and really get his run going."

Webslinger, off the board in initial start dirt at Ellis Park Aug. 6 before he was moved to the grass, paid $30 on a $2 win ticket. His earnings increased to $319,600.

"The way he trains and crosses ground, and the way that race set up at Saratoga and the way he finished that race, there really weren't any concerns about him going two turns for the first time," Tripp said. "This was just an incredible effort. To go that quick is very impressive at this stage of his career."

Video: Nownownow S. (BT)