Mr. Misunderstood edges clear in Wise Dan
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Brad Cox hopes Mr. Misunderstood started a new win streak on turf when the 4-year-old gelding surged to victory Saturday night in the 29th running of the Grade 2, $200,000 Wise Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs.
Mr. Misunderstood won his first eight starts over turf before being defeated in each of his last three. In the 1 1/16-mile Wise Dan, jockey Florent Geroux rated him just off the pace set by Mr Cub before tipping out and wearing down that front-running rival to prevail by a half-length over Inspector Lynley, who rallied belatedly up the hedge to nip Mr Cub for second. World Approval, the 11-10 favorite in a field of seven older horses, had no mishap when finishing sixth.
“Exciting race,” Cox said in the immediate aftermath. “I’m glad it worked out the way it did. Florent did a great job. The pace wasn’t what we wanted it to be, but we still got it done.”
Mr. Misunderstood, owned by the Flurry Racing Stables of Arkansas resident Staton Flurry, returned $7.60 as second choice after finishing in 1:41.83 over a firm course. He got a 100 Beyer Speed Figure.
Mr. Misunderstood climbed the class ladder when clicking off one turf victory after another prior to running second in the Fair Grounds Handicap, fourth in the Mervin Muniz, and sixth in the Makers 46 Mile. Cox said the gelding had been training well at Churchill coming into the Wise Dan as the trainer looked for an improved performance.
“He’s really come around again,” he said. “We’re all really proud of him.”
Cox said Mr. Misunderstood will go to Saratoga next month and is a candidate for the major middle-distance turf races at a summer meet that begins July 20.
World Approval, the 2017 turf champion in North America, clearly was the disappointment of the race. The 6-year-old gelding tracked the pace of Mr Cub but simply did not fire when asked in his first race since finishing fifth in the March 10 Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita.
The $2 exacta (5-3) paid $62.40, the $1 trifecta (5-3-6) returned $185.90, and the 10-cent superfecta (5-3-6-1) was worth $46.90.
