Damon's Mound winning the 2022 Saratoga Special S. (G2) - NYRA photo

Girvin’s 2-year-old colt Damon’s Mound proved his 12-length debut win was no fluke with another dominating performance in Saturday's $200,000 Saratoga Special S. (G2), as he rolled home a 3 1/4-length winner over the highly-touted Gulfport.

Trained by Michelle Lovell for the colt’s breeders Cliff and Michele Love, Damon’s Mound was last in the field of four juveniles as they made their way up the backstretch, but never more than two lengths from the front as the top three were side-by-side. As they left the backstretch, Damon’s Mound went four wide and swooped past the Gulfport and Super Chow to take the lead.

Straightening for home, Damon’s Mound quickly opened up and was all alone the rest of the way, winning under a hand ride in 1:19.74 for the 6 ½-furlongs on a fast track.

“It’s incredible. All props to the horse,” Lovell said. “He’s just awesome and he proved it and spoke for himself. I couldn’t be happier for his owners. They’re breeders, they [didn’t sell him], and they got rewarded for it. I wouldn’t have traded him for any horse. I thought he had an awesome chance, and he showed it.”

Accord to Lovell, options for Damon’s Mound’s next outing include the Hopeful S. (G1) Sept. 5 at Saratoga, the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) Oct. 8 at Keeneland, and the Iroquois S. (G3) Sept. 17 at Churchill Downs.

Girvin moved to fifth on the First-Crop Sire list, now with $505560 in progeny earnings. He is tied for the top spot with his two stakes winners and is fourth by overall wins. Damon's Mound has won $145,560 in his two wins.

Pedigree notes from the TDN

Damon's Mound becomes the second black-type winner and first graded winner for promising freshman sire Girvin. The Florida-bred is the first foal out of their multiple stakes-placed mare San Antonio Stroll. A filly by Girvin of 2021 and a colt of this year are in the pipeline. She was bred back to Girvin for 2023.