Media Mogul gets wanted added distance

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Media Mogul gets the added distance trainer Boyd Caster believes he will appreciate Sunday, when the half-brother to champion Arcangelo moves to 1 1/8 miles for the eighth race at Oaklawn Park.

“I’d have entered him if it was a mile and a half,” quipped Caster.

The race is an entry-level allowance for 3-year-olds and up, and it has drawn a field of 10. Nyquick could go favored after earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 89 for a maiden win last out at Oaklawn. King Russell also will get good support as he was Grade 1-placed at this distance last year, when second in the Arkansas Derby.

“It’s a pretty tough race,” Caster said. “I think you can make a case for a number of them in there. I think the distance is to our benefit. That’s what the horse is showing me.

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“The thing about this horse, he has a classic pedigree on the female side.”

Caster noted that in addition to Media Mogul’s dam producing 2023 Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo, his third dam, Better than Honour, produced two Belmont Stakes winners in Jazil and Rags to Riches.

Media Mogul also is by a Belmont Stakes winner in Empire Maker.

Media Mogul comes into Sunday’s race off a fifth-place finish in a first-level allowance at 1 1/16 miles. He was making his first two-turn start of the year and was part of a cavalry charge to the wire, beaten a total of two lengths with a Beyer of 82.

“He galloped out in front of all those guys,” Caster said.

Media Mogul will break from post 5 under Ramsey Zimmerman for owner Judy Pryor.

Sunday’s forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of rain, and a wet track would suit Media Mogul, Caster said. The horse earned his best Beyer, an 86, in the mud in January, when second at this level sprinting.

Media Mogul, a full horse who is 5, is older than Arcangelo.

“He’s been a lot of fun to have,” Caster said. “I was at [Will Rogers Downs] when the Peter Pan ran and when Arcangelo won I said, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s Media’s brother that just won the Peter Pan!’

“So naturally, I’m all focused on him and he jumps up and wins the Belmont. It was crazy. And then he jumps up and wins the Travers, and then, an Eclipse Award. All this happened in a matter of months.”

Nyquick has been flattered since his maiden win at 1 1/16 miles on March 23. The race has produced three next-out winners, led by the runner-up who came back to take a $100,000 maiden-claiming race at Oaklawn with a Beyer of 86. Cristian Torres has the mount from the rail for trainer Brad Cox.

King Russell was a troubled fourth last out in a first-level allowance over 1 1/16 miles. Prior to the start, he had run second in an entry-level allowance at 1 1/8 miles. Rafael Bejarano has the mount from post 6 for trainer Ron Moquett.

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