Spooky Channel upsets McKnight, Mean Mary rolls to La Prevoyante score
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HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Two of the continent’s biggest early-season turf stakes were part of the huge Pegasus World Cup card Saturday at Gulfstream Park when the W.L. McKnight and La Prevoyante were run at 1 1/2 miles over a firm course.
Spooky Channel game in W.L. McKnight
Spooky Channel, dismissed at 36-1 in a field of 11 older horses, proved stubborn to the very end when getting past Cross Border in a stunning conclusion to the Grade 3, $200,000 McKnight.
With a furlong to go, Spooky Channel and jockey Julien Leparoux had a couple of lengths to make up on Cross Border, who had surged clear from the longshot pacesetter, Dubby Dubbie, after turning into the stretch. Spooky Channel dug in to win by a neck, more than vindicating the decision of trainer Brian Lynch to enter the 5-year-old English Channel gelding in the first place.
“I thought his last race was very good, considering he wants to stay on a mile and a half,” said Lynch, referring to an eighth-place finish in the 1 1/8-mile Fort Lauderdale.
Spooky Channel ($74.60), owned by Terry Hamilton, had raced primarily at Turf Paradise before coming into Lynch’s care last summer. He now has won seven of 12 overall, with the McKnight being his first graded win.
“He’s tough,” said Lynch. “I’m very happy he got a chance to show what he can do.”
Cross Border, a 5-1 shot, was ridden by Jose Ortiz for trainer Mike Maker, who had won the McKnight each of the last three years. Apreciado, who finished third, 2 1/4 lengths behind Cross Border, also is trained by Maker.
Red Knight, the 9-10 favorite under Joel Rosario, trailed early before making a looping move at the quarter pole and flattening out to finish fourth, another 1 1/4 lengths back.
The final time was 2:26.16.
Mean Mary a five-length winner in La Prevoyante
Mean Mary ($7.40) rated comfortably after breaking on the lead and was never seriously threatened the rest of the way in winning her stakes debut in the Grade 3, $200,000 La Prevoyante.
Adeptly ridden by Luis Saez, Mean Mary finished in 2:28.36 when prevailing by five lengths over Lady Paname, the 13-10 favorite in a field of 10 fillies and mares.
“Her name is Mean Mary, and she was very difficult, but she’s actually become very kind,” said Graham Motion, who trains the 4-year-old daughter of the late Scat Daddy for owner-breeder Alex Campbell Jr. “That’s why I thought she’d handle the mile and a half today. She’s becoming a real pro.”
Mean Mary had won two of four prior starts – a maiden race on the Keeneland turf last fall, and a first-level allowance on the turf here last month at 1 1/8 miles, the farthest she had raced until Saturday.
“Luis came to the paddock and said he was going to ask her away from the gate,” said Motion, “and I said, ‘Luis, you don’t need to ask her – she’s going to be on the lead.' As they went along, I thought the distance wasn’t going to be a problem.”
Motion said he hadn’t thought about a next start but that he was particularly glad to win for Campbell, who will turn 92 in April. Campbell was in attendance Saturday.
“It’s a big deal for Mr. Campbell,” said Motion. “He’s put a lot into the game.”
Touriga, a second Motion entry, was along to finish third, another 1 1/4 lengths behind Lady Paname.
