Navajo Warrior, and the Major Success for Candy Ride That Comes Almost Every Weekend
- Turf Diario
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
On the dirt track at Prairie Meadows, the representative of the phenomenal Argentine stallion scored a brilliant victory in the Cornhusker Handicap (G3), contested over 1,800 meters
ALTOONA, Iowa (Special for Turf Diario).— The remarkable evolution of Navajo Warrior continued this Saturday at Prairie Meadows, where the son of the phenomenal Argentine sire Candy Ride proved that his claiming days are definitively behind him by authoritatively capturing the Cornhusker Handicap (G3-1800m, dirt, $300,000).
Conditioned by Saffie Joseph Jr., the 5-year-old bay controlled the running from start to finish under an impeccable ride by Micah Husbands, drawing away to score by 3 1/2 lengths over Bullard (Gun Runner), while the millionaire G2 winner Gigante (Not This Time) completed the podium in third.
Breaking from post position 7, Navajo Warrior intent on seeking the lead and quickly established an advantage. Setting fractions of 23.52s and 46.82s, he rationed his speed with absolute comfort and never showed any signs of weakness. Upon entering the homestretch, Bullard attempted to close the gap, but the pacesetter responded with authority to cross the wire under a hand ride in a final time of 1m48.07s.
The victory marked his second consecutive Grade 3 triumph, having entered the race on the back of a victory in the Pimlico Special Stakes (G3) held in May at Laurel Park, further validating his excellent current form.
The story behind Navajo Warrior is particularly striking. After competing in the claiming ranks, the runner carrying the silks of BAG Racing Stables, Miller Racing, Dr. Derek Paul, Mathis Stable, Paul Braverman, and Timothy Pinchmanaged to completely reinvent himself under the care of Joseph Jr., consolidating his position as one of the most effective older horses on the United States racing circuit.
Bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms, Navajo Warrior is by the unforgettable Candy Ride out of the Storm Cat mare Crosswinds, making him a half-brother to 2016 Ashland Stakes (G1) heroine Weep No More (Mineshaft).
With this latest success, he enhanced his lifetime record to 10 victories, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds from 18 career starts, while boosting his bankroll to $632,009. The performance also reaffirms the outstanding current season being enjoyed by Candy Ride, who has already sired four graded stakes winners during the 2026 racing campaign.
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