Pocket Cowboys turns stalking trip into Mohawk win

ELMONT, N.Y. - Pocket Cowboys, who had been knocking on the door in stakes lately, received a perfect stalking trip beneath Edgar Prado to win Saturday's $125,000 Mohawk Stakes.

Coming off runner-up finishes in the West Point and Ashley T. Cole for breeder-owner-trainer Scott Schwartz, Pocket Cowboys ($12) raced alone in third position down the backstretch tracking a duel between 6-5 favorite Straight Story and Midnight Billy in a strung-out field of 10.

Straight Story finally put Midnight Billy away turning for home, but grew leg-weary with a sixteenth of a mile remaining and could not hold off Pocket Cowboys, who edged away late to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Straight Story held second by 3 1/2 lengths over Kutais, a 55-1 shot who was the longest price on the tote board. Uncle T Seven, who was coupled with Pretty Boy Freud, was along for fourth as the 9-5 second choice.

"He broke well, and I was able to sit right behind the leaders," said Prado. "I was very happy with my position. He's the kind of horse you can do whatever you want with. He doesn't have to be in front, he can come from off the pace. Today, he loved the turf and he loved the distance."

Pocket Cowboys, a 4-year-old gelding by Wild Event, ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.44 over a firm inner turf course, notching his first stakes victory since winning a sloppy renewal of the New York Derby at Finger Lakes last year.

"We've got the best of both worlds - the father's stamina and the mother's speed," said Schwartz, who also trained the dam, Lotsa Sprinkles. "It worked out perfectly, as we knew the favorite, Straight Story, would go for the lead. Somebody pressed him a little, and we got the trip."