When Robert Evans purchased Raucous for $300,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale, he had his eye on the future. Though he intended to race her, he also knew that upon retirement, she’d join his broodmare band, and she had what he was looking for.

“She’s by Speightstown,” he said. “I wanted to get fillies and mares that had speed to breed to Tonalist.” 

Tonalist is, of course, Evans’ homebred winner of the 2014 Belmont Stakes. He won that race, and three other Grade 1 races, by coming from off the pace.

On June 9 at Saratoga Race Course, Evans watched from a friend’s 80th birthday party as the plan he’d launched at that 2016 sale came to fruition when Raucous’s 2020 colt by Tonalist won the Commentator Stakes on the lead every step of the way. 

In the winner’s circle after the race, trainer Christophe Clement, who also trained Tonalist, said, “This is a great tribute to Mr. Evans’ breeding program.” 

“Speed, speed, speed. Speightstown gives him the speed. He does what Tony does, and he does it quick,” said Evans, using Tonalist’s nickname. 

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