Santa Anita: Tom's Tribute ties Wise Dan's record winning Thunder Road

ARCADIA, Calif. - Tom’s Tribute was eased down by jockey Mike Smith when clear of seven rivals in the final strides of Sunday’s $79,750 Thunder Road Stakes at Santa Anita.

The move kept Tom’s Tribute from breaking Wise Dan’s course record of 1:31.78 for a mile on turf set in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Mile. Tom’s Tribute finished the Thunder Road with the same official time.

Smith said he knew the race was developing with a quick pace, but was surprised to see the final time. He said he wanted to take care of Tom’s Tribute in the last strides after the outcome was decided.

“I said, ‘That’s enough,’ ” Smith said. “I didn’t know I was going in 1:31.”

Timer Dane Nelson said he hand-timed the race in a quicker 1:31.77. The automated time will reflect the race’s official time.

Tom’s Tribute ($8) broke toward the back of the field, which may have helped his chances, according to trainer Jim Cassidy.

“It was probably a blessing that he broke a tad slow,” Cassidy said. “He was able to relax.”

Smith had Tom’s Tribute in seventh place for the first half-mile, well behind the scorching pace of 22.02 and 44.09 seconds set by Peace and Justice, the 6-5 favorite.

Three horses led in the final three furlongs. Bright Thought, the winner of the Grade 2 San Luis Rey Stakes over 1 1/2 miles in March 2013, caught Peace and Justice on the turn and led into the stretch.

By then, Tom’s Tribute was closing quickly. Smith guided Tom’s Tribute three-wide entering the stretch and was fourth with a furlong remaining. Tom’s Tribute caught the eye with his wide move and took the lead in the final sixteenth, winning by 2 1/4 lengths over Joelito.

“He was able to relax and can home well within himself,” Smith said.

Joelito, a 9-2 shot, finished a nose in front of Bright Thought, who was followed by County Lineman, Peace and Justice, Dubai You X Y Z, Dr Action, and Teaks North.

Tom’s Tribute races for Marilyn Braly. A 4-year-old colt by Lion Heart, Tom’s Tribute has won 4 of 10 starts and earned $226,880. Last fall, Tom’s Tribute won the minor Uniformity Stakes on the hillside turf course for his first stakes win.

The Thunder Road was Tom’s Tribute fourth start at this winter-spring meeting, preceded by losses in three graded stakes over a mile on turf – a sixth in the Grade 2 Sir Beaufort Stakes for 3-year-olds on Dec. 26, a game second in the Grade 2 Arcadia Stakes on Feb. 1 and a seventh in the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile on March 8.

Cassidy said that Tom’s Tribute had breathing difficulties in the Kilroe, an issue that was corrected with an equipment change.