Major Dude returns to victory under Velazquez. (Chelsea Durand)
By Maria Eddy
OZONE PARK, NY – Spendthrift Farm’s Major Guy made good on his 3-5 favoritism with a stalk-and-pounce victory in Saturday’s Listed $150,000 Artie Schiller, a one-mile infield test for 3-year-olds and up, in Belmont at the Big A.
Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, the 5-year-old son of Bolt d’Oro found the winner’s circle for the first time since graduating Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale at Gulfstream Park in December. He entered the Grade 3 Mint Millions Invitational on September 6 at Kentucky Downs from a fifth-place finish, which was preceded by three consecutive thirds in stakes company.
Leaving the inside post under Hall of Famer John Velazquez, Major Dude held his rail position as Big Everest was fastest away from outside post 5 to clear the field and mark the first quarter-mile in 23.62 seconds over the firm grass, dealing with some outside pressure from Horsepower, who was persuaded by Dylan Davis.
Big Everest was firmly stuck on the backstretch with Horsepower right on its flank and a gap back to Major Dude, who was enthusiastic in the turn but settled and drifted to the three-way as Sand Pipes powered in through the half mile in 47.96.
Major Dude’s move to an outside path allowed him to bid around the top duo, and he loomed large on the turn as Sand Pipes needed space along the inside and Horsepower was asked three-quarters for his best in 1:12.68. Big Invasion clung to a precarious lead down the track but was soon overtaken by Horsepower as Major Dude won with every step and Otago gave chase down the middle of the course.
MAJOR DUDE wins the Artie Schiller Stakes with @ljlmvel on board for trainer @Pletcher Racing And @spendthriftfarm. pic.twitter.com/xju4fKAERf
– nyra () (@thenyra) October 11, 2025
The Jose Lezcano-driven Otago continued to make up ground in the last sixteenth and Horsepower fought bravely on the inside, but Major Dude proved best to pull away to a one-length score in a final time of 1:36.69. Otago put its nose down for second place over Horsepower, with Sand Pipes and Big Everest completing the finishing order. Lucky Score and Light the Way, who only participated on the main song, were scratched.
Stu Hampson, Pletcher’s Belmont Park assistant, praised the smart ride of Velazquez, who tied for the lead with nine wins on Saturday at the Keeneland, where he has already won five stakes races this month.
“We thought maybe we could work out a trip where we sat in a box and waited for the right moment to strike. Johnny did a great job of getting him behind horses and once he got to the rail and got coverage, he switched off a little bit,” Hampson said. “He looked completely loaded and when the time was right he pressed ‘go’ and off he went. We are very happy with the result.”
Velazquez said Major Dude was primed for a strong run after clearing the backstretch.
“I knew there were two speed horses. My horse got a little excited in the first part of the race. When those two horses went, he settled down nicely,” Velazquez explained. “I had to hold him tight. Then I left him alone because I know he has problems on this kind of terrain. He gave me enough to win the race.”
@mig4450 job interviews @ljlmvel after his victory in the Artie Schiller Stakes with Major Dude. pic.twitter.com/8GqLWPzEes
– nyra () (@thenyra) October 11, 2025
Lezcano said the Kelsey Danner-trained Otago, who checked between rivals in the first 16, made a good effort despite the problems.
“He gave me a good race. He was a very good horse. All class,” Lezcano said. “He gave me what he got, but the winner kept going. I think we were in a bit of a pinch out of the gate, that’s why we were further back.”
Major Dude, bred in Kentucky by Clearsky Farms, earned $82,500 in wins while improving his lifetime record to 26-8-4-5, including three additional victories. He returned $3.46 on a $2 winning ticket.
Live racing resumes Sunday in Belmont at the Big A with a nine-race card featuring the $150,000 Carle Place in Race 4. The first post is 1:10 PM Eastern.
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