Thoroughbred Daily News 8/1/25
Despite drifting out to the center of the Saratoga turf course, Intricate Spirit (Complexity) was clearly the class of this field as he aired by open lengths to become a new ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Friday in New York.
A $185,000 Keeneland September buy for the late Christophe Clement, the 4-1 shot had shown plenty of morning ability for Christophe’s son Miguel indicated by a best-of-42 bullet on the Oklahoma track when going four furlongs in :49 flat July 19 and repeating the time over the same distance July 26 (4/55). Breaking towards the outside under Joel Rosario, Intricate Spirit was fast but race favorite Freestate (Caravaggio) was faster along the rail and led narrowly up the backstretch in this 5 1/2-furlong sprint.
Never more than a half-length back from that rival, the son of Airdrie Stud’s Complexity shadowed the favorite the entire way around the far turn before he could wait no more, exploding to the lead at the quarter pole. Rosario kept to right-handed encouragement but Intricate Spirit still wandered out several paths inside the final furlong. Still, there was no danger nearby and he came home going away over a three-wide battle for the minor placings won by Turf Star (Caravaggio).
Complexity, who was a ‘Rising Star‘ himself at Saratoga, now sires his second as Intricate Spirit joins Complexion on the list. First dam Dottie’s Spirit, who won as a 3-year-old in her own racing career, has already produced three winners from as many to race led by SW/MGSP Spirit Prince (Cairo Prince) who also races for Clement. She has a yearling colt by Girvin who is her last reported foal as she was barren back to Girvin for 2025. Dottie’s Spirit returned to Airdrie Stud this year to visit Upstart for the 2026 season.
6th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-1, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:03.36, fm, 3 1/2 lengths.
INTRICATE SPIRIT, c, 2, by Complexity
1st Dam: Dottie’s Spirit, by Curlin
2nd Dam: Brush of Fortune, by Broad Brush
3rd Dam: A Chance of Storm, by Storm Cat
Sales history: $185,000 Ylg ’24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-West Point Thoroughbreds, Madaket Stables LLC, Kenneth G. & Gail P. Beitz; B-Ben & Rebekah Henley & Jim Gray (KY); T-Miguel Clement. *1/2 to Spirit Prince (Cairo Prince), SW & MGSP, $229,342.
