Arzak rebounds, outlasts Mischief Magic in Shakertown

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Arzak held off Mischief Magic in the stretch for a one-length win in the Grade 2, $350,000 Shakertown Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland, giving him a relatively rare double over this turf course.

Arzak ($9.24) became the fourth horse to win the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes for this division at Keeneland's fall meet, then return to win the following spring's Shakertown. The other horses to complete the double were Golden Pal (2021-2022), Silver Timber (2009-2010) and Morluc (2001-2002).

After last October's Woodford, Arzak shipped across the country to finish sixth, beaten just two lengths, in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita. After some turnout time in Ocala, Fla., he rejoined trainer Michael Trombetta at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland in February, and had the Shakertown as a logical early-season target, considering his affinity for the course.

“We gave him a little vacation after the Breeders’ Cup,” Trombetta said. “He’s trained brilliantly all winter. His last three races are as good as anything he’s ever done. I was a little worried coming off the layoff that he’d be ready, but he showed up and did what he needed to do.”

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Arzak and Irad Ortiz Jr. were fourth in the full field of 12, but with only about two lengths to make up, midway on the far turn as Yes I Am Free, sent away hard from an outside post, was the narrow leader over Coppola through opening splits of 21.61 seconds for the opening quarter, and 44.73 for the half.

The field bunched up even more into the stretch, with Arzak, making his bid in the five-path, poking his head in front of the two pacesetters, with several late runners fanning out for their own runs as those leaders began to fade.

Mischief Magic, winner of the 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland, and coming off a solid winter campaign in the Middle East, had been 11th after the opening quarter. He emerged with his typical late kick down the stretch, but Arzak held him off.

“He broke so sharp, and after that I just bided my time riding behind the speed,” Ortiz said. “I followed Coppola; he took me all the way to the quarter pole. I just bided my time until it was time to ask my horse, and he responded really well.”

The final time for the 5 1/2 furlongs over turf officially rated good, after the Lexington area experienced heavy rains in midweek followed by chilly temperatures, was 1:02.93.

Mischief Magic was second by a head over Eamonn, with Our Shot another neck back in fourth.

They were followed, in order, by Bad Beat Brian, Panther Island, Let My People Go, Yes I am Free, Coppola, Beer Can Man, Sousa Summer, and Front Run the Fed.

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