When the talented young colt Club Reign made his debut in Race 1 during the Grade 1 DraftKings Travers event on August 29 at Saratoga Race Course, it was a landmark moment as it marked Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson’s first time entering a horse under his Three Brand Racing banner. The son of Core Beliefs delivered impressively, cruising to a six-length victory with jockey Edgard Zayas guiding him for trainer Whit Beckman.
Beckman expressed enthusiasm about the win, especially for Wilson and his family, highlighting the importance of such a strong debut on a high-profile day like Travers Day at Saratoga. Club Reign dominated the six-furlong maiden sprint, setting the pace early before pulling away easily, finishing ahead of Subjugation in a time of 1:11.27, with Wilson, his wife Ciara, and their family celebrating in the stands.
Looking ahead, Club Reign will compete at Belmont Park in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne Stakes, stepping up to a mile. The race offers a “Win and You’re In” spot for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, along with qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby (10-5-3-2-1 system). Beckman noted the colt’s strong training and readiness for this tougher challenge but acknowledged he’ll face stiff competition requiring some improvement.
Purchased for $475,000 at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, Club Reign is out of the stakes-placed Bernardini mare Bag of Tricks, who is a half-sister to stakes winner I’m Stoked. Since his maiden victory, he has worked twice, most recently breezing a half-mile on Belmont’s Tapeta track in 49.37 seconds on September 27. Beckman praised his consistent, professional demeanor and strong work ethic, calling him well suited for this next challenge. Jockey Zayas will again ride him from post 4 in Saturday’s six-horse field.
Besides Club Reign, Beckman has five more stakes hopefuls at Belmont this week. Among them is Let Em Know, who will run in Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Pilgrim Stakes. The son of Jackie’s Warrior is also cross-entered in Sunday’s Grade 2 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland. Both turf races cover 1 1/16 miles and offer a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
Let Em Know, last seen finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Summer Stakes at Woodbine on September 12, faced a challenging trip but showed promise by closing strongly. Beckman believes he prefers more ground than a mile and requires space to maintain momentum. After shipping to Belmont, the colt worked a half-mile over the Tapeta in 48.87 seconds on Sunday.
The wide post draws in both races have Beckman considering options, noting Let Em Know’s difficulty breaking from the outside on Belmont’s turns. Deciding which race to run will depend on scratch activity, but staying in New York seems likely.
Runaway Bride, owned by Icon Racing Stable, is entered in Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Miss Grillo Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for juvenile fillies awarding a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf “Win and You’re In” spot. A chestnut filly by Charlatan, she won her debut at 5 1/2 furlongs in July at Saratoga and placed fifth in the Grade 1 Natalma Stakes at Woodbine on September 12 after a strong closing effort.
Beckman was pleased with her recent effort and confident in her quick return on shorter rest, hopeful to secure a Breeders’ Cup berth.
Due to a powerful nor’easter that canceled live racing at Belmont on September 26 and 27, six graded stakes rescheduled to a packed eight-race card this Thursday will feature several of Beckman’s runners. Queen Jubilee will run in the 6 1/2-furlong Grade 2 Gallant Bloom, Bring the Smoke in the seven-furlong Grade 3 Vosburgh Stakes (a Breeders’ Cup Sprint “Win and You’re In”), and Kokomotion in the one-mile Grade 3 Winter Memories.
Queen Jubilee, owned by a group including Two Eight Racing and Ribble Farms, has won both starts since switching to sprint distances, most recently with an 8 1/2-length victory after a nearly seven-month break. Despite a pedigree suited for longer routes, she has thrived at shorter distances, and Beckman sees the upcoming stakes as a significant next step that could earn her black type.
Bring the Smoke, who faced a tough trip and finished last in the Grade 1 Forego Stakes on August 29 at Saratoga, aims to regain his good form that saw him win the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint in May at Laurel Park. Beckman believes the disappointing outing misrepresented his talent, attributing it to tactical issues early in the race.
Kokomotion, also owned by Icon Racing Stable, finished sixth in the Grade 2 Lake Placid at Saratoga on August 29 but is expected to benefit from a wider post position and the more spacious Belmont turf course in Thursday’s Winter Memories Stakes. Beckman hopes better racing room will allow her to find running lanes and improve on her recent performance.
This article originally appeared on Paulick Report on September 30, 2026, under their News section.
Fan Take: Russell Wilson’s successful foray into racing with Club Reign highlights how the sport continues to attract new, high-profile owners, which brings fresh energy and attention to horse racing. These promising young horses stepping into graded stakes action also signal an exciting future for the sport, keeping fans eager for the next generation of stars.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
