Aloha West outlasts Miles Ahead in Kelly's Landing
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Aloha West had to do hard, gritty work, but proved too classy for his challengers in the $160,000 Kelly's Landing Overnight Stakes on Saturday evening at Churchill Downs.
To secure his first victory since the Breeders' Cup Sprint last November at Del Mar, Aloha West ($3.80) first had to get the measure of pacesetter Kneedeepinsnow, who still held a clear lead in deep stretch. After getting by Kneedeepinsnow, he then had to hold off a late charge from Miles Ahead, and held sway by a neck in the final stages for the win.
“I had to ride him a little bit up into the pace today to keep his position,” said Joel Rosario, who reunited with Aloha West for the first time since piloting the son of Hard Spun to two allowance-level victories last summer at Saratoga. “I think he got his confidence back today. He’s a very talented horse and showed his class today.”
Aloha West finished second by a neck in the Grade 2 Phoenix last fall at Keeneland - site of the 2022 Breeders' Cup - before winning the 2021 Sprint by a nose over Dr. Schivel, with Jose Ortiz in the irons.
Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Aloha West made his 5-year-old debut on the Kentucky Derby undercard and finished third in the Grade 1 Churchill Downs, five lengths behind divisional Eclipse Award champion Jackie's Warrior. Five weeks later, he was fourth in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at a mile at Belmont, 11 lengths behind the dominant Flightline, with Grade 1 winners Happy Saver and Speaker's Corner second and third, respectively.
“We’re glad he got his feet back underneath him today,” trainer Wayne Catalano said. “He ran into some stiff competition in his last two starts when he was coming off the layoff. Our goal is to get him back to Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Today, we started our way back by getting his confidence back.”
Aloha West finished the 6 1/2 furlongs of the Kelly's Landing in 1:15.44.
After Miles Ahead, winner of the Gulfstream Park Sprint earlier this year, it was two lengths back to a stubborn Kneedeepinsnow, who was easily clear of defending Aristides winner Bango by 3 1/2 lengths for third.