Claimed Big Big Daddy surges clear by three lengths under Parchment

Only seven days earlier, Big Big Daddy lined up as the public choice in a $500,000 claimer. Punters looked for a victory; instead the dark bay finished a flat fourth, roughly seven lengths off the winner, on July 18, 2026.

Form sheets did not deter Steven Todd. The new conditioner lodged a claim and moved the horse out of Peter-John Parsard’s stable. Rather than drop him in class, Todd raised the bar, entering him in an optional claiming contest tagged at $700,000–$600,000 for three-year-olds and older over six furlongs (1,200m). The Saturday, July 25 field mixed locally bred five-year-olds with experienced imported six-year-olds that had yet to record a fourth career win.

Phillip Parchment wasted no time leaving the gate. One cue was enough: the nine-year-old dark bay seized the lead at once. Kem, ridden by Eric Haughton, and Alchemy of Souls, under Shaheem Gordon, gave chase. Along the backstretch Big Big Daddy travelled kindly, ears forward and breathing freely. He still held the advantage at the half-mile (800m) marker, then quickened as the remaining ground shortened.

On the bend into the straight Parchment sat almost still while his mount produced another burst. Through the final furlongs Big Big Daddy drew away without a close scrap, reaching the finish three lengths to the good. Rejected Raja, with Reyan Lewis aboard, finished second after a late run; Battle Angel, ridden by Richie Shakes, took third.

Natural Selection is the breeder; the dam is the Vanadium mare Just A Flutter. The score was Big Big Daddy’s second success from seven starts this season after a blank campaign of three races last year.