Voyager Steps Forward in Natalma Stakes

It was easy traveling for Voyager🔥  en route to her 1 1/4-length victory in the Sept. 12 Natalma Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine.

Ridden by Javier Castellano, the 2-year-old daughter of Justify   received a patient ride from the Hall of Famer in the 1-mile turf race. Racing off the pace, D. J. Stable's Voyager began making up ground with 3 furlongs remaining and thundered down the center of the turf course. She held off runs from De la Renta , the runner-up, and third-place finisher Embouteillage🔥 , who secured the photo finish over Bounce Back . 

The final time over a course rated as firm was 1:35.06. The winner returned $9.50. 

Lamirada , the 5-2 favorite in the 11-horse field of 2-year-old fillies, tired and finished seventh after setting a pressured pace through fractions of :23.09, :46.13, and 1:10.20.

In an interview with Woodbine's simulcast show, Castellano said, "Mark told me to ride with a lot of confidence. ... She finished really well. Very professional horse."

This is Voyager's second win from four career starts. She broke her maiden in her third start, her turf debut, Aug. 1 at Saratoga Race Course.

The $363,679 Natalma is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In and offers an automatic berth to the Oct. 30 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) at Keeneland. 

Bred by Stoneriggs Farm in Kentucky, the winner is trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse. The Casse-trained Catch a Glimpse  won this race in 2015 en route to a victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland.

D. J. Stable acquired Voyager for $300,000 from the 2025 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale. She is out of the Lea mare Chart. 

Justify stood the 2026 breeding season at Ashford in Kentucky for $200,000.