Mo Forza surging into Breeders' Cup Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. - Mo Forza won his second consecutive graded stakes in Saturday’s Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita, confirming his status as the leading domestic contender for the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland on Nov. 7.

The City of Hope Mile was arguably Mo Forza’s best race, a victory by 1 3/4 lengths in a quick 1:32.09. He earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 106. The time could have been quicker and the margin wider had jockey Flavien Prat urged Mo Forza in the final strides.

The 4-year-old Mo Forza won the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on Aug. 23 in his first start in eight months. Even with the stylish victory Saturday, there was one minor point of concern for trainer Peter Miller.

“The one thing is he wants to lay-in when he gets by the last horse,” he said. “That’s one thing we can improve on.”

:: Want to get your Past Performances for free? Click to learn more.

Miller may be looking for perfection from Mo Forza, who has had a meteoric rise in class in the last 12 months.

Owned by Bardy Farm and OG Boss, Mo Forza won a maiden special weight race in his sixth start in September 2019. Mo Forza has won five of his last six starts, all in stakes. The only loss in that span was a ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park in January, which led to the layoff.

In the $201,000 City of Hope Mile, Mo Forza closed from fifth in a field of seven to take the lead in the final furlong.

“I thought it was a replay of the race at Del Mar,” Miller said. “He came out of the race great.”

Miller, who turned 54 on Friday, has won three Breeders’ Cup races, all with sprinters. Mo Forza will be his first starter in the BC Mile.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

Sharp Samurai finished second in the City of Hope Mile in his first start since a second in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic behind Maximum Security at Del Mar on Aug. 22. Trainer Mark Glatt said on Sunday that no race plans have been determined for Sharp Samurai, but that the BC Mile and BC Dirt Mile on Nov. 7 will be considered.