Wise Market doubles up in Ascot Graduation

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Wise Market proved that his upset victory in the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity was no fluke by convincingly winning the $100,000 Ascot Graduation at Hastings on Sunday. He paid $13.60 for his 1 1/2-length score over Day Raider in the 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-old colts and geldings.

Breaking a half-step slowly from the outside post with Amadeo Perez aboard in the nine-horse field, Wise Market was in front by the time they hit the first turn and then dueled with Boundary Bay through a half-mile in 47.25 seconds. He was a head in front of Boundary Bay after six furlongs in 1:13.33.

Boundary Bay had had enough, but Wise Market never got a breather as he was immediately collared by Slew’s Da Boss, Almeria, and Pan Handle. He shook them off, opened up a clear lead in the stretch, and easily held off Day Raider, who rallied late. Day Raider finished a neck in front of Sherriff Clarke, who made a strong late move but lost ground while going wide around the stretch turn.

The final time was 1:46.42.

“He’s a game horse,” said trainer Phil Hall. “I thought he was in trouble, but he just kept shaking them off.”

Hall owns the son of Mass Market with Blair Law and Brian Albertson. Hall paid $1,500 for Wise Market at the 2016 CTHS yearling and mixed sale in British Columbia. He later brought in Law and Albertson as partners.

“First the Futurity, and now the Ascot,” said Hall. “Not bad for a horse nobody wanted. I was the only bidder.”

Wise Market was bred by Suzanne Anderson.