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LEXINGTON, Ky. - Eliciting superlatives once more, Wise Dan dominated the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile on a sunny day at Keeneland to entrench himself further as quite possibly the best horse in North America this year.
With Jose Lezcano keeping the 5-year-old gelding out of trouble throughout the trip, Wise Dan circled into contention leaving the final turn and powered to a 2 1/4-length triumph in the $750,000 Shadwell, the richest race of the Keeneland fall meet.
Wise Dan returned $3.20 after finishing in 1:34.94 over a firm course. Willcox Inn, a 48-1 shot, ran on to be second, another 2 3/4 lengths before Slip and Drive, a 100-1 shot. Doubles Partner was fourth in the field of 12.
"I really liked how he relaxed today," said an ecstatic Charlie Lopresti, who trains Wise Dan for owner-breeder Morton Fink. "He's good. He's really good."
Wise Dan now has won 4 of 5 starts this year and will head to Santa Anita as the likely favorite for the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Mile, a race that Lopresti said he and Fink are "leaning toward" in favor of the BC Classic the same day.
[Breeders’ Cup Challenge 2012: Replays of all the Win and You’re In races]
"He keeps showing us how good he is on the grass," said Lopresti. "We'll keep our options open for the Classic, but right now I think we'd go in the Mile."
The Shadwell was a Win and You're In event toward the BC Mile, so entry fees and shipping expenses will be paid for the trip to California.
Wise Dan, a Kentucky-bred by Wiseman's Ferry, has now had 19 races, winning 12, several of them in eye-popping fashion. He has regularly earned some of the highest Beyer Speed Figures in North America this year, including a 117 in the Ben Ali over the Keeneland Polytrack in April. The $450,000 winner's share lifted his career bankroll to $2,461,638.
On a cool but bright afternoon, and before an ontrack crowd of 22,292,Wise Dan rated in fifth through the early going while Lezcano made sure to keep him out of trouble. Down the backstretch, Lezcano maneuvered him to the outside, and after that, it was all clear sailing. They began picking off rivals one by one, getting past the fading early leader, Silver Max, and then Dominus, before quickly speeding away with powerful strides and opening up 3 1/2 lengths passing the furlong pole.
"I got a very good trip," said Lezcano, who was filling in for regular rider John Velazquez, who was otherwise occupied at Belmont Park.
After the top four, the full order was Data Link, Dominus, Corporate Jungle, Swift Warrior, Silver Max, Skyring, Worthadd, and Ol Army.
The $2 exacta (5-4) paid $66, the $1 trifecta returned (5-4-8) returned $963.80, and the dime superfecta was worth $560.66.
No mention of Executiveprivilege? Too early? I may have a west coast bias - Game On Dude beating out Richard's Kid .... ? We are talking about JUST this year right? Where are my Del Mar / Santa Anita brethren?
Oh, I also see some comments about Southern California tracks being highways ... maybe it's the horses? Pools don't make Michael Phelps faster, his training and better competition do.
I guess I "trolled" here enough ... I need to go to bed ... already have a dozen crappy $5k Pennsylvania races lined up for tomorrow morning ... I hate Tuesdays - see you Thursday in Arcadia, CA where it should be 72 and sunny.
All in good fun .... MC
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Horse of Year - No horse has done more this year in North American and laid it on the line more!
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Dave, as a fan of betting, i'd rather take the "single" in the Mile for the P6.
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I have to think with their entry free to the Mile being paid, they will cross-enter in the Classic.
Of course no one could ever criticize them for choosing the Mile with the way Wise Dan runs on turf. But the Mile is often a crazy race, if he draws a tough post I think they should take a long look at the Classic. This horse is no slouch on dirt. As a fan of racing, I hope they go in the Classic.
Either way, a nice decision to have on your hands!
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I want to strangle romans for putting dullahan on that swamp in NY--a really bad thing for this poly specialist.
Wise dan is really nice.
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charlie lopresti must now that jose lozcano is the best turf rider in the country. bar none!!!
maybe the best rider in the country!!!
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While everybody is falling all over themselves on Wise Dan, you better take a look at California turfer Obviously who just ran a 1:31/4, and ran 1:32 flat and 1:32/2 in his two races before that. Running down Silver Max is one thing, running down one that is running sub 1:32s is a whole nother kettle of fish.
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Ok...Court Vision won the BC mile last year. Dangerous Midge won the BC Turf in 2010. English Channel won in 07'. Kip Deville won the BC mile in 07' also-all American turf horses. Goldikova won the BC mile 3 years in a row 08'-10, Conduit won the BC Turf 08-09'- where is the Euro dominance? Seems pretty equal to me.
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So who's that guy that said Lezcano was a horrible jockey and would get this horse into trouble in this race?
Oh yea, now I remember, it was SAT.CUSTOMER.
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blah blah blah!! you people act as if not only he could beat frankel, but also as if he has proven he is the best here in the u,s.. has anyone been watching obviously lately? believe me, WD'S connection will be better off going in the classic because he will get his a** handed to him at santa anita if he faces obviously!
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NO NAY NEVER didn't break all that well in his debut but he moved up smoothly to make the lead after about 100 yards, and after he withstood a stretch challenge from the eventual runner-up he won while virtually in hand; trainer Wesley Ward is lethal with 2-year-olds and this colt figures very tough here with an effort as good as that first one. SWEET EMMA ROSE, an uncoupled stablemate of the top pick, meets males but she's clearly a threat off that debut romp; barn seems to hold all the aces.
