No worse than first or second in his career, the son of the late Uncle Mo was a winner last out Jan. 25 by 3 3/4 lengths against optional claimers at this venue and earned a 92 Beyer that matched his seasonal bow Jan. 5 when he lost the bob to Black Powder (Gun Runner), who also returned here. Two years ago, he’d been the runner-up in the GIII Peter Pan Stakes in May and GIII Ohio Derby that June before missing all of 2024 save for his lone 4-year-old start at Horseshoe Indianapolis Nov. 11 where he won by two lengths.

Made the even-money choice for his first appearance in stakes company since those sophomore graded contests, Bishops Bay was fast to the front to set the tempo in :24.06, :48.24, and 1:12.34 splits. Shaking off a challenger entering the lane, he began to drift out with a furlong left to run as the hard-knocking Group 1-placed Bendoog (Gun Runner) loomed the danger. Bracing for the inevitable challenge as his rival shifted to the inland route late, Bishops Bay held off the charge by a neck. Full Screen (Big Screen) claimed third at long 22-1 odds.

Afterwards, John Velazquez aboard the runner-up posted a rider’s objection against the victor, but the stewards disallowed it.

The ‘Rising Star‘ is one of three black type earners for his dam, Catch My Drift, who herself was placed at the elite level after hitting the board in the GI Beldame Stakes. Namely, his half-siblings include Listed-placed Strava (Into Mischief) and 2024 GI Preakness Stakes third Catching Freedom (Constitution), who also won the GII Louisiana Derby that year. Bishops Bay claims a winning 3-year-old half-sister Indeed (Improbable) as well as a juvenile half-sister by Not This Time. Their dam’s 2025 offspring is a full-sister to the winner. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.