The Wine Steward takes Fifth Season S. in triumphant return
January 25, 2025
Vino Rosso’s multiple stakes winner The Wine Steward returned to the races from an extended layoff Saturday in Oaklawn Park’s $150,000 Fifth Season S., winning the one-mile contest by a neck in his first start since last year’s Belmont S. (G1).
The 4-year-old broke well and tracked Patriot Spirit for about five furlongs, then made his move for the lead. Side-by-side entering the stretch, The Wine Steward outfooted his rival in the lane to edge clear in the final sixteenth and stop the timer in 1:38.98 for the mile on a fast track.
With the win, The Wine Steward improved his record to 4-3-0 in eight starts and his earnings to $548,260 for owners Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher.
Bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC, Lakland Farm & Mark Toothaker, The Wine Steward sold for $340,000 at the 2023 OBS March 2-year-old sale.
Vino Rosso has been a top-five sire with both his first and second crops. After covering 190 mares in 2024, he is standing this year for $12,500 S&N.