Navy Seal came with a furious rally in the final furlong to post a one-and-a-quarter length victory in the $150,000 Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Sunday, 2 March.
The victory in the six-furlong contest was the first Stakes score for the hard-knocking Midshipman gelding, who has now finished in the money in 20 of 41 career starts. Navy Seal was previously Stakes-placed (third) in the Work All Week Stakes at Hawthorne Park.
Patiently handled by jockey Julien Leparoux, Navy Seal was unhurried early and raced near the rear of the field as Bohemian Bo and Midnight Taxes set the pace. Racing five-wide down the backstretch, Navy Seal continued to track the leaders into the far turn.
Set down for the drive at the top of the stretch, Navy Seal responded with a furious rally down the center of the course to sweep past Bohemian Bo and Willow Creek Road in deep stretch to get the victory. Lochmoor, a younger half-brother to Navy Seal, closed late to take third.
Navy Seal was bred in Arkansas by Starsky Weast and is out of the winning Elusive Quality mare, Copperelle. In addition to Navy Seal, Copperelle is also the dam of Stakes winners Weast Hill (Rockport Harbor), Lochmoor (Laurie’s Rocket), and Usual Suspect (Primary Suspect). The female family also boasts Canadian Champion older mare, Pennyhill Park.
In addition to Navy Seal, Midshipman is already the sire of three Chilean G1 winners so far this year – Lucky Red (G1 El Derby), The Goat (G1 Dos Mil Guineas, G1 St. Leger), and Cassis Violeta (G1 Las Oaks).
Midshipman is standing the 2025 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $15,000, stands and nurses.
