The Wine Steward

The Wine Steward opened his career with a dazzling three-race winning streak. He won his debut by six lengths May 28, 2023, at Belmont Park, and then was impressive in winning the Bashford Manor Stakes by 2 ¾ lengths in July at Ellis Park. The bay Vino Rosso colt was next pointed to the Funny Cide Stakes Presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital Aug. 27 at Saratoga, where he overcame a stumbling start to defeat fellow New York-breds in a head victory over El Grande O.

The Wine Steward made his first start in a graded stakes in the $600,000, Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity. He took a brief lead in deep stretch but could not hold off Locked in a runner-up finish in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series race for the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred aftercare Alliance.

Following a six-month layoff, The Wine Steward returned to action for his 3-year-old debut in the Grade 3 $400,000 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland on April 13, 2024. Sent off as the 7-5 favorite on the tote board in a nine-horse field in the Lexington, The Wine Steward issued a challenge in the stretch but ultimately settled for a second-place finish behind Encino, beaten three-quarters of a length while 8 1/4 lengths ahead of the third-place horse.

The Wine Steward was produced by the To Honor and Serve mare Call to Service, a half-sister to graded stakes winners Giant Game and Isotherm.