Ag Bullet repeating in the $2 million Never Say Die Ladies Turf Sprint. (Coady Media)
By Kentucky Downs Media Team
FRANKLIN, Ky. – Calvin Nguyen and Joey Tran’s Ag Bullet did not disappoint as the 8-5 favorite, and after a front-running trip had just enough left to hold off Simply in Front by three-quarters of a length for the repeat victory in Saturday’s $2 million Never Say Die Ladies Turf Sprint (G2).
“I was pretty excited about the mount today, to ride her,” jockey Luis Saez said after riding the 5-year-old mare for the first time. “I was watching the replays, and I saw last time when she ran, even last year, when she won here. She’s a pretty nice filly, and I was very grateful to be riding her today.
“She broke from there pretty well, like the plan. We knew we had speed outside, but she broke from there pretty well. We took the lead, and she controlled the pace. Coming to the top of the stretch, I had a ton of horse.”
Living up to her name that means “silver bullet” for the chemical symbol for silver, Ag Bullet grabbed the lead shortly after the break and proceeded to set fractions of 21 3/5 and 43 1/5 for the first half-mile. The winner opened up a significant lead at the top stretch, but her rivals were in close pursuit as she crossed the wire in 1:13. 13 for 6 ½ furlongs over a firm course. That time bested Ag Bullet’s course record of 1:14.19 last year. However, Kentucky Downs has a new timing system and is regarding 2025 as the new baseline year.
Jody’s Pride was third, another half-length back.
“We were very confident,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “She likes it here. She gallops good over the track. She likes going out and grazing. She likes the open air. She loves Kentucky Downs. She’s a top horse, but when you’re even money, you want everything to go right. She just did her thing. It’s very special with a horse like her. You do your job and she’ll do the rest, and my job is to take care of her.”
Simply in Front, who won the Music City Stakes (G2) last year at Kentucky Downs, overcame breaking from the far outside in post position 12 and was making up ground to be second.
“Both those fillies won here last year,” trainer Eddie Kenneally said. “They obviously love the course. Our filly showed, and I’m absolutely delighted with her.”
Ag Bullet, who was coming off an impressive victory against males in the Grade 1 Jaipur at Saratoga on June 25, improved her record to 8-0-2 in 15 starts and has now earned $2,771,228 with the $1,154,900 payday. She returned $5.34, $3.72 and $3.08.
"No horse has done more to change the history of the world than NEVER SAY DIE."@pwMadden of @NSDBourbon is with @andie_biancone at @KYDownsRacing to tell us about the back story of the horse and bourbon. pic.twitter.com/6mDLNVwkHB
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 30, 2025
Baltas said Ag Bullet will mostly likely point to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) for her final career start November 1. She finished third in the race last year.
“We’re going to probably point for the Breeders’ Cup,” Baltas said. “We’ve got a ‘Win and You’re In.’ It’s five-eighths, and she ran good the last time coming off the pace.
“Two more races and she probably goes to the sales ring. But you know, this is a business. She’s been a blessing. I’m sure she’ll be a good mother and produce good babies, and her racing work will be done.
