Joy I. Marlin’s Yukio took the lead on the far turn and never relinquished it on his way to posting a two-and-a-quarter-length victory in the six-furlong Manzano Stakes at Albuquerque on September 18.
The juvenile colt by Frosted has now won two of his four starts and has become a Stakes winner in his very first attempt.
Breaking alertly under jockey Tracy Herbert, Yukio prompted the early pace before moving clear while racing three-wide on the far turn. The gray colt continued to draw clear through the stretch and crossed the wire an easy winner.
Yukio was bred in Kentucky by G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and Sally S. Humphrey, and is out of the Stakes-placed mare, Precious Princess. Yukio is a half-brother to multiple Graded Stakes winner Zipessa (G1 First Lady Stakes) and to G2 winner, Majestic Code. Also found in the immediate female family are Graded Stakes winners Dearest (by Midshipman) and Always Shopping.
In addition to Yukio, Frosted is the sire of Travel Column, winner of the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks, Cave Hill, winner of the Rushaway Stakes and additional 2021 Stakes winners You Look Cold and Inject. He currently sits second on the leading second crop sire list by earnings.
His runners in Australia include recent G3 winner Ingratiating who was among the top juveniles "down under" last year with a Listed win and G1 placings in the Blue Diamond Stakes and Golden Slipper.
