Making a dramatic move heading into the far turn, O Dionysus drew off to his first stakes win in his stakes debut, taking the $75,000 Christopher Elser Memorial Stakes at Parx Racing on Nov. 12. Among those he flew by was multiple stakes winner Greatbullsoffire.

The 2-year-old Gary Capuano trainee was last early before making his move. The big-striding colt went on to win by two and a quarter lengths, completing the six and a half furlongs in 1:18.19. It was the second win in four starts for the handsome bay, and he becomes the second stakes winner for top-five freshman sire Bodemeister.

On the board in all four starts after breaking his maiden first time out in August, O Dionysus has earned $85,272, well on his way to repaying owner Peter G. Angelos of Marathon Farms, who purchased the striking bay for $190,000 at the 2015 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling sale, which was the highest price for a yearling colt in that sale.

O Dionysus is a the third runner, and third stakes performer, for his young dam Safe Journey (by Flatter). He is a half-brother to three-time stakes winner and $250,544-earner Joy and to stakes-placed $153,080-earner Combat Diver. The family traces in direct female line back to Dark Hollow foundation mare, Maryland Broodmare of the Year Safely Home (O Dionysus’ third dam). It’s a stakes tree that continues to grow and thrive.