Victory Formation

Victory Formation, a son from the first crop of Belmont Stakes winner Tapwrit, won at first asking Oct. 21 at Keeneland, dominating a 6 ½-furlong sprint by 4 ¾ lengths. He showed determination in his next start Nov. 26 at Churchill Downs, surrendering the lead in midstretch of a 6 ½-furlong allowance but battling back to win by a neck.

Trainer Brad Cox then put Victory Formation on the Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, starting him in the one-mile Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 1, 2023 at Oaklawn Park. Jockey Flavien Prat, riding the colt for the first time, put him on the early lead and the pair were never seriously challenged while setting moderate fractions. Victory Formation increased his lead in the stretch and ended up winning the Smarty Jones by three lengths over stablemate Angel of Empire. He earned 20 qualifying points for the May 6 Kentucky Derby with the victory.

Victory Formation's next start came in the Grade 2 $400,000 Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 18 at Fair Grounds. In the Risen Star at a distance of 1 1/8 miles, Angel of Empire turned the tables on Victory Formation, who finished off the board as the 9-5 favorite in the field of 14.

Victory Formation is out of the winning Smart Strike mare Smart N Soft and is a half-brother (same dam [mother], different sire [father]) to multiple graded stakes-placed winner Bellamore. His second dam (maternal grandmother) is Grade 2 winner Softly.