Express Train

Express Train won the second start of his career by 14 ½ lengths Aug. 28, 2019 at Del Mar. He next ran fourth in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes, beaten by 8 ½ lengths by Eight Rings.

He did not race again for more than 6 ½ months, returning in August 2020 at Del Mar with a two-length win in an allowance-optional claiming race. After a runner-up finish at the same level, Express Train tried the turf for the Grade 2 Twilight Derby but never fired in a troubled trip.

Back on dirt for the final start of his 3-year-old season, Express Train finished second to highly regarded Charlatan in the Grade 1 Runhappy Malibu Stakes Dec. 26 at Santa Anita.

The Union Rags colt secured a breakthrough stakes win in his 4-year-old bow, when he surged clear in the stretch to post a convincing win in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes Jan. 30 at Santa Anita. Express Train led by two lengths in early stretch of the March 6 Santa Anita Handicap, but he was caught by fast-closing Idol in the final strides of the 1 1/4-mile Grade 1 race. He then finished third in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park on Apr. 17. He held on to win his second graded stakes win of the year in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 17.

Express Train capped his 2021 season with a determined victory in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at Del Mar on Dec. 26. He rated off the early lead, then closed strongly in the stretch to win a photo finish over odds-on favorite Hot Rod Charlie.

A few weeks later, Express Train picked up another stakes win, when he won the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes for the second straight year on Feb. 5, 2022. 

After his tough beat in the 2021 Santa Anita Handicap, Express Train got his revenge in the 2022 edition, prevailing in a stretch battle with Warrant to win by a head. 

Express Train is out of the Mineshaft mare I’m a Flake. Multiple Grade 1 winner November Snow is the grandam (maternal grandmother) of Express Train.