Final Boss ($65.40) ends five-month layoff with Kilroe Mile upset, capping big day for jockey Hernandez
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ARCADIA, Calif. - Final Boss ended a layoff of more than five months with a shocking win in Saturday’s Grade 2 Frank Kilroe Mile on turf at Santa Anita, a race jockey Juan Hernandez thought would be a prep for bigger prizes in coming months.
Instead, Final Boss ($65.40) ran the best race of his career, and gave Hernandez a fourth win on a stakes-packed late winter afternoon.
The longest shot in a field of eight, Final Boss closed from third to win by a half-length over 9-5 favorite El Potente.
Final Boss has led on several occasions in his 15-race career, but Hernandez was content with a stalking trip on Saturday, hoping the experience would be a good comeback for a 5-year-old horse he has ridden in his last 11 starts.
“I knew there was a lot of pace,” Hernandez said. “I thought I’d wait and make a move, so next time he would be ready.”
Final Boss was more than ready. With a ground-saving trip on the turn, Final Boss was third with a furlong remaining, racing within a head of pacesetter Mi Bago.
Final Boss and El Potente dueled through the final furlong before Final Boss prevailed, finishing in 1:32.94. Final Boss earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 98.
El Potente, ridden by Hector Berrios, finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of 3-1 Almendares, who closed from last.
El Potente has set the pace at times in his career, but was well placed in fourth in the first six furlongs of the Kilroe Mile.
“I knew there was a lot of speed, and I tried to be comfortable,” Berrios said of El Potente. “I put him behind Juan Hernandez. In the last part, he tired.”
Gas Me Up, winner of the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes for sprinters on the hillside turf course in December, finished fourth, followed by Mi Hermano Ramon, Cabo Spirit, Astronomer and Mi Bago.
Mi Bago led by as many as 3 1/2 lengths early through a strong pace of 22.88 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.95 for a half-mile. He tired visibly through the stretch.
Final Boss, trained by John Sadler for Michael Talla and West Point Thoroughbreds, won the second stakes of his career, and first at the graded level, in the Kilroe.
In June 2024, Final Boss led throughout the Cinema Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
The win in the Kilroe, the ninth race of the afternoon, capped a remarkable day for Talla. In the fourth race, the Grade 1 Beholder Mile, Splendora won her fifth consecutive start. Talla co-owns Spendora with Boyd Racing. Splendora paid a mere $2.20. Final Boss provided a more generous return for bettors.
“It’s a lovely day,” Talla said. “I wish I had more horses running.”
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