Collusion Illusion

Collusion Illusion opened his career with a half-length win July 21 at Del Mar. The bay Twirling Candy colt next stepped up into graded stakes company in the Grade 2 best Pal Stakes Aug. 10 at Del Mar. Collusion Illusion rated in fifth early under Joe Talamo through the opening quarter-mile, rallied four wide into the stretch, and then unleashed an explosive late rally to win by 1 ¼ lengths.

Collusion Illusion made his next start in the American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Sept. 27, and was pulled up in the stretch. After a nearly eight-month layoff, he returned in May 2020 for his 3-year-old debut with a sharp three-length win in a six-furlong allowance optional claiming race at Santa Anita.

Trainer Mark Glatt moved him back up to graded stakes company for his next start, the Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera Stakes at Santa Anita on June 20, and Collusion Illusion won again impressively, taking the 6 ½-furlong race by 3 ¼ lengths as the 2-5 favorite.

Making his next start in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes Aug. 1 at Del Mar, Collusion Illusion rallied from off the pace to take command in the stretch and held off a powerful late surge from Lexitonian to prevail. The Bing Crosby victory earned Collusion Illusion an expenses-paid berth in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Sprint via the “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series.

Collusion Illusion is out of the First Dude mare Natalie Grace, a half-sister (same dam [mother], different sire [father]) to three stakes winners, including graded stakes winners Bahamian Squall and Apriority.