A successful year for Hinkle Farms-breds continued on Preakness weekend when Navajo Warrior (5g o/o Crosswinds) won the G3 Pimlico Special in his stakes debut.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. for BAG Racing Stables, Miller Racing, Dr. Derek Paul, Mathis Stable, Paul Braverman, and Timothy Pinch, he went off as the race favorite in the 1 3/16-mile dirt race.

It was quickly clear why when he bolted to the lead from the second post position. Ridden by Flavien Prat, he opened a multiple length lead early but then had to deal with some pressure from Awesome Aaron during the middle stages of the race. That one gave in with just over a quarter left to run and Navajo Warrior was able to build a small lead.

A final challenge by Maclean’s Rook pushed Navajo Warrior into another gear and the gelding flew away to a 2 ¾ length win in the end.

The winner of nine of his 17 starts with four other top three finishes for $452,609 in earnings, Navajo Warrior was a $125,000 purchase from Hinkle Farms at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2022.

He is one of three stakes winners out of Crosswinds. That mare also produced Grade 1 winner Weep No More and Grade 3 winner Current in addition to being the granddam of the stakes winning Half Is Enough. Crosswinds is out of the dual Grade 1 winner Flute, who also produced Grade 2 winner and multiple Grade 1 placed Filimbi.

Crosswinds has a 2-year-old Golden Pal filly named Embaka and foaled an Elite Power colt on May 4 of this year.