Midnight Concerto Claims Thrilling Yaddo Stakes Victory at Saratoga
In a gripping contest at Saratoga, Midnight Concerto, expertly piloted by jockey Manny Franco, clinched a dramatic nose victory in the $200,000 Yaddo Stakes. The 5-year-old mare showcased remarkable resilience, navigating through a congested field to narrowly defeat Being Betty. This triumph not only marked Franco's impressive fourth win on the Sunday card but also underscored Midnight Concerto's burgeoning form, propelling her career earnings beyond the half-million dollar mark. The victory served as sweet redemption, reversing a prior loss to Being Betty on the same course earlier in the season.
The Yaddo Stakes, held on Sunday, August 30, 2026, saw eight New York-bred fillies and mares competing over 1 1/16 miles on the firm Saratoga turf. Midnight Concerto, a Mendelssohn progeny, commenced her race positioned in sixth place, maintaining this stance through the initial turn and along the backstretch. Meanwhile, Being Betty, under Javier Castellano, faced an early setback, stumbling and falling to the rear of the pack right out of the gate. The early pace was set by Brokealltherules, who led the field through fractional times of 22.96 seconds for the quarter-mile, 47.09 seconds for the half-mile, and 1:11.61 for three-quarters of a mile.
As the race progressed into the second turn, Midnight Concerto found herself boxed in along the rail. However, Franco, displaying exceptional horsemanship, identified a slender opening in the homestretch. He skillfully guided Midnight Concerto between Brokeallthertherules on the inside and Spinning Colors on the outside. This bold maneuver allowed Midnight Concerto to seize the lead by the eighth pole, clocking a mile in 1:35.17. Franco later commented on the mare's determination, stating that she didn't hesitate when he asked her to go through the gap, and then bravely held off her rivals.
In a thrilling climax, Being Betty, despite her early troubles, mounted a furious late charge down the center of the track. However, her powerful rally fell just short, with Midnight Concerto prevailing by a mere nose in the photo finish. The final time for the race was 1:41.06 on the firm turf. Midnight Concerto rewarded her backers with payouts of $6.94 for a win, $3.56 for second, and $2.84 for third. Being Betty returned $6.98 for second and $5.80 for third. Sail With the Wind, closing from seventh, secured third place, paying $5.24. Defending champion Awesome Czech finished fourth, followed by Marvelous Madison, Bernietakescharge, Spinning Colors, and Brokealltherules.
This win marks a significant milestone for Midnight Concerto, who was acquired for $185,000 at the September 2022 Keeneland yearling sale. It was her first victory in six stakes attempts, a testament to her persistent improvement. Trainer Kenny McPeek acknowledged Franco's crucial role, noting that the jockey's current form might have been the decisive factor in overcoming Being Betty, who had previously bested them. Having secured an allowance win on the Saratoga turf in July, Midnight Concerto's current two-race winning streak has elevated her career statistics to six wins, two seconds, and five thirds from nineteen starts, boosting her total prize money to an impressive $505,208.