Actuator

Actuator was a $2,200 purchase as a yearling at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton February mixed sale, and he made his first two starts in 2021 on turf at Horseshoe Indianapolis. He finished third in both and when he resurfaced as a 3-year-old in 2022 he was starting on dirt for a new trainer, Mike McCarthy.

The Bodemeister colt broke his maiden in that debut effort, romping by 7 ¼ lengths in a seven-furlong race June 8 at Churchill Downs.

McCarthy then moved Actuator up in class, starting him in the Grade 3 Indiana Derby back at Horseshoe Indianapolis on July 7. The colt veered out of the starting gate and caused some early trouble for the two horses on his inside, but recovered to stalk the pace under James Graham. He assumed the lead at the top of the stretch and held off a challenge from Best Actor by a half-length to score his second consecutive win on dirt and ace a tough assignment.

Actuator is owned by Jake Ballis’ Black Type Thoroughbreds (who bought into him prior to the Indiana Derby), Rags Racing Stables, Rick Howard and Gavin O’Connor. He is out of the winning Indian Charlie mare Indian Rocket, who is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner R Heat Lightning.