Mocito Rojo wins fifth consecutive stakes in Lukas Classic

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The one-time $10,000 claimer Mocito Rojo reached yet another career peak Saturday night under the Churchill Downs lights when out-gaming Silver Dust in a long stretch drive in the seventh running of the Grade 3, $250,000 Lukas Classic.

Prevailing for his Cajun connections – owner Wayne T. Davis, trainer Shane Wilson, and jockey Gerard “Gee Money” Melancon – the 5-year-old horse ran his career record to a remarkable 17 for 25 with his fifth straight stakes victory.

“He just keeps going up the ladder and getting it done,” said Wilson, based at Delta Downs in Vinton, La. “He’s been something else, this horse.”

Breaking from the outside post in a field of 10 older horses, Mocito Rojo secured a good stalking spot into the first turn of the 1 1/8-mile Lukas Classic. Leaving the half-mile pole, he began edging closer to the leaders, Pioneer Spirit and Silver Dust, and shortly after they straightened for home, Mocito Rojo had only Silver Dust to catch.

“I thought we had it at the sixteenth pole,” said Melancon, a career winner of more than 4,400 races. “The other horse fought, and we fought back.”

Mocito Rojo dug down to win by a neck, finishing in 1:48.91 over a fast track. He returned $19.60 to win. Sir Anthony was another four lengths back in third, while Quip, the 2-1 favorite, faded to sixth after also laying just off the pace.

The win extended a streak started by Mocito Rojo in March in an ungraded race at Delta and continued through the Sexton Mile at Lone Star, the Evangeline Mile, and the Governor’s Cup at Remington. He hasn’t been the betting favorite in any of the five.

Davis claimed Mocito Rojo, a Kentucky-bred 5-year-old horse by the obscure sire Mutadda, from his career debut at Delta in December 2016. He now has earned $797,000.

“I’ve waited my whole life for a horse like this,” said Davis, 90.

Wilson said he “might back off a little” on Mocito Rojo when pointing for major events early next year at Fair Grounds or Oaklawn Park.

The Lukas Classic, the last of three straight stakes on an 11-race Downs After Dark card, was known as the Homecoming Classic for its 2013 inaugural before being renamed two years later to honor D. Wayne Lukas, the still-active Hall of Fame trainer who has made Churchill his base of operations for some three decades.

‘Gem’ ($21.40) wires Jeff Cup

One race earlier, Spectacular Gem took early command in the $125,000 Jefferson Cup and never looked back, defeating six other 3-year-old turf horses when finishing 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.14 over firm going. James Graham was aboard.

“I found myself on the lead, and off we went,” said Graham. “He felt very comfortable the whole way.”

The 43rd Jeff Cup eased the sting of the bay colt’s last race, when he was disqualified from a hard-fought victory as a 35-1 shot in the $200,000 Caesars at Indiana Grand earlier this month.

“This is redemption,” said Jimmy Baker, who trains Spectacular Gem for his wife, Candie. The Indiana race resulted in “just one of those calls – tough to take, obviously. This horse has really been a blast. I’ve got the best owner in the world here.”

Tracksmith rallied to finish second, 1 3/4 lengths behind the winner and a nose before Faraway Kitten. Scars Are Cool, the 9-5 favorite when making his turf debut, never threatened when sixth.

Spectacular Gem, a Kentucky-bred by Can the Man, now has won three of 11 starts, with this being his first official stakes win.

Mr Freeze ($14.80) wins Ack Ack

Giving Robby Albarado his first winner of the September meet, Mr Freeze sped to victory after getting a perfect trip from just off the pace in the 27th running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Ack Ack.

Trained by Dale Romans for Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister, Mr Freeze finished a one-turn mile in 1:34.11 and returned $14.80 after finishing 1 1/2 lengths ahead of late-running Thirstforlife. Mr Darcy was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third in a field of eight older horses.

“He was forwardly placed and well within himself,” said Albarado. “He picked up those leaders pretty easy and went on with it. This one feels good.”

Albarado only picked up the mount after Martin Chuan took off to ride back home in Peru for the weekend.

“I’m really happy for Rob,” said Romans. “Everybody knows what good friends we are. Doing something like this together is a great thing, a lot of fun.”

Albarado, a winner of nearly 5,200 races, was out more than two months after being injured here in a June 23 spill. His lone winner since his return came on closing day of the Ellis Park meet. He had been 0 for 20 at this meet.

Mr Freeze, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred colt by To Honor and Serve, now has won four of eight starts. He was an eight-length winner of the 2018 West Virginia Derby in his biggest prior effort.

“He’s always had a ton of ability,” said Romans.

Single 6 pays $463,252

A 43-1 shot (Diamonds Are A in race 6) in the Single 6 helped boost a “forced out” payout to $463,252 for one perfect 20-cent ticket. The sequence was held on races 4-9, ending with the Lukas Classic. New handle was $460,707, atop a carryover of $71,694. The winners’ odds were 3-2, 43-1, 12-1, 6-1, 9-1, and 8-1.

Sunday is the last of 11 days at the September meet. A carryover of $71,685 will be offered in the final pick five (races 6-10) on closing day.

Keeneland starts its 17-day fall meet Friday.