Turf Paradise: Streakin' Mohican posts minor upset in Swift

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Streakin’ Mohican bounced back to top form, posting a mild upset in Friday’s rescheduled $35,000 Swift Stakes at Turf Paradise. The race was originally slated for Jan. 26 but that card was canceled due to weather.

Owned by Rosette Racing LLC and trained by Bill Brashears, the 6-year-old gelding has back-class having competed in graded stakes. Under Wilson Dieguez he turned back the clock as he surged right out to a clear lead, set hot splits (21.61, 43.93) and gamely kept Atta Boy Roy at bay, winning by 1 1/2 lengths. Atta Boy Roy, another former graded stakes performer, chased the winner from the start, kept after him throughout but just couldn’t get to him. Absolutely Cool, the favorite after winning the Caballos Del Sol here Dec. 8, was last early and finished well for third in the field of seven while never really a threat. The race lost a bit of luster when defending champion and last year’s Horse of the Meet Derive was scratched earlier in the day.

Streakin’ Mohican ran the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.08 and paid $15.20. The winner’s share of $21,266 gives him earnings of $378,923 from 10 wins in 36 starts. This race is the traditional prep for the meet’s marquee event, the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup Feb. 16 so that would seem a logical next spot for the top three.