He needed two scratches to draw into the race, and not only did he do that, ACADEMY went on to an authoritative win at Delaware Park yesterday. His maiden special was meant to be one mile seventy yards on the turf, but steady rain moved it to the main track where it was run at the same distance. It was a chilly 55 degrees at post time when the gates opened for the field of nine over the sloppy, sealed track.

He’s already well-traveled at 3 – this was his fourth start at his fourth track. He debuted last July at Saratoga, ran next at Colonial in September (both on the turf) and then began his sophomore season on the all-weather surface at Turfway Park in his last start on March 25.

Academy didn’t mind the mud yesterday, handling the conditions comfortably under Sammy Marin. Settled just off the pace, the pair advanced on the leaders in the far turn and drew off steadily to win by 4 1/2 lengths. And we have to add – Academy got the memo: yesterday was Graham’s birthday.

Bred in Kentucky by Dixiana Farms LLC, the chestnut gelding is by Oscar Performance out of Sacred Luna, by Malibu Moon. Owned jointly by Harrell Ventures LLC and Starlight Racing, he was a $310,000 acquisition at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Congrats to the partnership on his maiden-breaker yesterday!