Gato Guapo a game winner in Century Mile Handicap

Gato Guapo came from a stalking position to win the $75,000 Century Mile Handicap on Sunday at Century Mile. He paid $5.60 for his three-quarter-length victory over Coulterberry.

Gato Guapo received a heady ride by Orlando Mojica. The 4-year-old son of Factum broke sharply and it looked like he was going to go three wide around the first turn while dueling with Double Bear and Stone Carver. However, with the track not favoring speed, Mojica eased him into a stalking position behind that pair, who dueled through a half-mile in 46.40 seconds. Gato Guapo made a three-wide move around the stretch turn, took over the lead midstretch and held off Coulterberry who rallied late. Apalachee Bay stalked the pace, made the lead at the eighth-pole, and hung late to finish third.

The final time was 1:36.16

“I wanted to make the lead but it was impossible,” said Mojica. “So I tried to get him to come from behind. When he made the lead in the stretch, I thought he was going to win easy, but he started to look around.”

Gato Guapo is trained by Robertino Diodoro. He races for Charles Garvey.