March to the Arch by a neck in Wise Dan

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – March to the Arch got a terrific ride from Tyler Gaffalione when emerging a narrow victor Saturday night in the 30th running of the Grade 2, $250,000 Wise Dan over the Churchill Downs turf course.

Saving ground while racing in midpack through both turns of the 1 1/16-mile turf race, Gaffalione was able to maneuver March to the Arch into the clear leaving the eighth pole, and the 4-year-old Arch gelding took it from there. He paid $23 to win.

All Right, a 71-1 shot, had forged to a slim lead with about 70 yards to go, but March to the Arch charged past to prevail by a neck in a four-horse photo. Admission Office, the 2-1 favorite in a field of 13 older horses, was another neck back, with 33-1 shot Parlor only another head back in fourth.

Mark Casse trains March to the Arch for the Live Oak Plantation of Charlotte Weber. It was the first graded win, and the third stakes from five overall victories in 13 starts, for the Florida-bred homebred.

“The trip set up beautifully,” said Gaffalione, who four weeks ago won the Preakness for Casse aboard War of Will. “I was able to tuck in going into the first turn. When I got him outside, he really exploded. I was just waiting to get him out, and once I did, I really had a lot of confidence we’d get there. Mark and his team always do a fabulous job.”

March to the Arch finished in 1:40.58 over a firm course.

The $2 exacta (11-2) paid $1,699.80, the $1 trifecta (11-2-12) returned $3,482.30, and the 10-cent superfecta (11-2-12-15) was worth $5,372.92.

The Wise Dan, named for the two-time Horse of the Year (2012-13), was part of the big Stephen Foster program that served as the final Downs After Dark card of the Churchill spring meet. Charlie LoPresti, trainer of Wise Dan, made the post-race trophy presentation.