Harvey Wallbanger posts 29-1 upset in Holy Bull

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Harvey Wallbanger, a 29-1 outsider with only a maiden win on his résumé and idle for the past 11 weeks entering his stakes debut, rallied up the rail under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. to register a stunning one-length victory over the 128-1 Everfast in Saturday’s Grade 2 Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park. It was another neck back to the previously undefeated Maximus Mischief, who finished a tiring third as the 4-5 favorite in his much-anticipated 3-year-old debut.

Hernandez was content to allow Harvey Wallbanger to settle at the rear of the nine-horse field for the opening half-mile of the 1 1/16 Holy Bull, well off the pace set by Epic Dreamer and pressed by Maximus Mischief. Harvey Wallbanger advanced to closer contention on the second bend, slipped through inside Everfast entering the stretch, continued strongly along the rail to overtake the leaders in late stretch, and won going clear.

Maximus Mischief, who got a bit warm in the post parade, broke alertly under his new rider Jose Ortiz Jr. to rate several lengths off the speedy Epic Dreamer. The winner of the Grade 2 Remsen in his 2-year-old finale was sharply roused to go after the leader midway on the turn, finally overtook that rival near the furlong pole but faltered late, proving no match for the winner in the end. Everfast, well placed from the start, angled out a bit at the top of the stretch and also overtook the odds-on favorite in the shadow of the wire to finish an equally shocking second.

Mihos, who entered the race undefeated in two starts and off a game victory in the one mile Mucho Macho Man, was also a disappointment, coming up empty after six furlongs, ultimately finishing fifth nearly four lengths behind the winner.

Harvey Wallbanger, a son of Congrats who earned just a 64 Beyer Speed Figure for his maiden win at Churchill Downs on Nov. 17, is trained by Ken McPeek for the partnership of Harold Lerner, AWC Stables, Nehoc Stables, Scott Akman and Paul Braverman. He paid $61.20 after completing the distance over a fast track in 1:43.69.

“I had some options, like to run him in a one-other-than allowance race,” McPeek said. “But I said to Harold [Lerner] let’s find out how good he is because he can’t be training any better. I told Brian that if they go, let them, don’t worry about it, just tuck in save some ground and make your run. And he did a wonderful job getting him there.”

McPeek said his horse was a little tired following his maiden win, which is why he opted to give him some time off before launching his 3-year-old campaign on Saturday.

“His last race was actually an audible, I entered him off an extra, without even working him, and he won anyway,” said McPeek. “Then it was just a matter of getting him down here and working him. We try to teach them how to run, certainly how to finish, to come outside and inside horses, and he’s learned his lessons well.”

McPeek said he just planned to “enjoy the evening” before giving any thought as to what might be next for Harvey Wallbanger, noting he’s already got Singalman, the Kentucky Jockey Club winner who worked here earlier Saturday morning, penciled in for the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on March 2.

Ortiz, who replaced Maximus Mischief’s regular rider Frankie Pennington for the Holy Bull, explained his decision to go after the leader when he did on the second turn.

“I felt like they were coming on my outside, so I made the decision to go, said Ortiz. “But when I asked him, he wasn’t going the way I wanted him to. I just had to start riding. I had a hard time catching the horse on the lead.”