Booked Primed for Sanford Breakthrough

Having the benefit of a win over the track, the Steve Asmussen-trained Booked  aims to repeat in the 6-furlong $225,000 Sanford Stakes (G3) for 2-year-olds July 4 at Saratoga Race Course. 

Breaking his maiden in his second start when competing June 7 at Saratoga during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, Booked rallied from slightly off the pace to drive clear for winning owners Jackpot Farm, Alvin Fults, Jason Itkin, and Michael Smith. The son of Yaupon   finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of fellow Sanford entrant Jack's Golden Goal , with the show finisher 7 1/2 lengths farther back. 

Bred in Indiana by Peace Of Heaven Thoroughbreds, Booked is out of the Competitive Edge   mare Fingerprint , and was bought for $325,000 at the 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Jackpot Farm out of the Vinery Sales consignment. 

Pocket Listing , a Doug O'Neill-trained homebred son of Listing  for owner Reddam Racing, never faced a challenge in his June 14 unveiling at Santa Anita Park. In front from the start, he powered clear by 8 1/2 lengths at 1-2 odds.

"He was definitely showing in the morning that he would be ready to run in the afternoon, and he sure did," O'Neill said.

Other contenders include Goodbye to Romance , Vissino , Rasasi , and the $1.4 million colt Regent's Park , a BH Maiden Watch Hot Prospect. The latter is cross-entered in the July 5 Proud Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Ashcroft Lane  and Waggley  are expected to scratch, according to Daily Racing Form.