The greatest masters constantly challenge their pupils to break all limits. The relationship between a trainer and a racehorse is the same. Legendary equestrian Michael Yates had also decided to test his pupil at a prestigious racing event. Yates has been in the industry for 32 years now. He is one of those trainers who has the touch of Midas and the patience of a sage. Trusting his gut and his loyal rising star, Yates decided to wreak havoc and cause an upset at the Grade 1 racing event held on 27th July 2023.

Dean Delivers has emerged as a great prospect from the camp of equestrian trainer Michael Yates. However, compared to the other rookie racehorses making moves, Dean Delivers falls relatively short. 2023 has undeniably been the year of the rookies. However, Yates’ promising candidate is yet to prove itself. Despite the stats not showing it, Michael Yates believed that his four-year-old racehorse was capable of leaving everyone in the dust.

The equestrian upset that never happened

Michael Yates entered the Grade 1 $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap race with Dean Delivers. While Dean Delivers had won the last two races it had taken part in, its stats were not very impressive. Dean Delivers recently won the Grade 3 Smile Sprint that gave it an advantage for the Breeders’ Cup. The victory brought a lot of attention to the duo, and it fueled Yates’ ambition to cause an upset at Vanderbilt. This, however, was Dean’s first Grade 1 race.

The Florida-bred Dean had always raced within its home state. However, the Grade 1 Vanderbilt Handicap was its first race outside Florida. The fact that this was a six-furlong race and not seven, Dean’s usual, posed another additional challenge. Unfortunately for Yates, Dean Delivers could not fulfill his ambitions and finished in third place. Prior to the race, the equestrian trainer had said that he would add to the racetrack’s infamous reputation of being called the ‘Graveyard of Champions.’

Neither an upset nor a blowout

The results clearly show that Yates could not get what he wanted from the equestrian event held at Saratoga. However, this doesn’t translate into total failure. Dean Delivers faced several handicaps in this matchup. Dean faced an alien turf, a grade elevation, a change of the usual course, and the presence of all the high-tier horses at one location. While Dean Delivers failed to win the race, the wild card bagged third place against some of the best horses.

ALSO READ – With $318,652 in Career Winnings Belmont Oaks Winner Takes On Tougher Field in $400,000 Worth Invitation-Only Equestrian Event

Dean Delivers is the son of Cajun Breeze, who was also under the care of Yates. The equestrian trainer had brought the father of the rookie racehorse for this racing event as well. Yates had said that everything has come full circle now. While Dean failed to bury the champions at the graveyard of Vanderbilt, it did emerge as one of the victors who refused to be trampled. Considering the upcoming cut-throat competition at the Breeders’ Cup, this was a total win.

WATCH STORY – Countdown of the Top 5 Moments That Can Set the Equestrian Crowd Ablaze