Little Mike stepped up in class and left his mark in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic
The 5-year-old Priscilla Vaccarezza owned gelding, Little Mike, continued a major afternoon for trainer Dale Romans, when he conjured up a big effort to win the Grade 1, $561,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on 5 May, 2012.
Bred in Florida by Carlo E. Vaccarezza, Little Mike against a tough field surprised his competitors under jockey Joe Bravo in front running style.
Breaking from post number 1, Little Mike broke alertly and swiftly and before anyone knew it he was in the lead, as he reeled rest of the field by carving fractions of 23.78 seconds for the opening quarter mile, 48.27 seconds for the half mile marker, and reached the six furlong marker in 1 minute and 12.18 seconds.
There was no pace war, and Little Mike took full advantage of that in the 1 1/8 mile test, as he responded in fine fashion when jockey Joe Bravo asked a little more of him. Little Mike detached himself from the rest of the field and posted a three and half length victory.
Big effort from Slim Shadey was at display, when for the majority of the distance he raced at sixth and seventh, made a big run in the end to finish second, 2 ½ lengths adrift of the winner.
Slim Shadey held off Brilliant Speed in the nick of time, as the 10 to 1 shot was making serious ground to snatch the second place finish from Slim Shadey, but eventually finished half a length adrift of his rival.
The son of Spanish Steps, Little Mike had only won 3 grade 3 races, and in a grade 1 race, he was taken lightly with the odds of 12 to 1, but he proved he was adjudged wrongly and covered the 1 1/8 mile distance in 1 minute and 48.81 seconds.
“I thought he was the fastest horse in the race, period,” Romans said of the winner. “I didn’t know if he could go as far as he needed to, but we weren’t going to take back. He had a condylar fracture last year, so this is a pretty sweet victory for Little Mike.
“He’s a super horse and he deserves this grade I (victory).”
Tags: