Strong on grass, Wise Dan might have a lot to say in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland
After his last start at Presque Isle Downs synthetic surface, where he dominated the field in the Presque Isle Mile at about 1 mile, the 4-year-old gelding Wise Dan is switching back to turf in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland on 8 October, 2011.
Last year at this time trainer Charles Lopresti threw Wise Dan in the Grade 3 Phoenix Stakes mix, where he was to run a 6 furlong dash over Keeneland’s synthetic surface which he aced comfortably, but Wise Dan is turning heads on turf this time around.
For the Grade 1, $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile final tune up, Wise Dan ran over a firm turf course on the morning of 3 October, and turned in a work of half a mile in 46.20 seconds.
It was an amazing work the son Wiseman’s Ferry, out of Lisa Danielle by Wolf Power, Wise Dan turned in, and it rolled out of Charles Lopresti’s mouth “Holy smokes. He’s a different horse on grass,”
Jon Court was aboard Wise Dan through the work out session, who also guided the colt to his two previous victories, in the Grade 2 Firecracker Stakes and the Presque Isle Mile.
Jockey Jon Court had him easy in the start, but turned up the head in the last quarter mile which Wise Dan blazed past in 22 seconds and change.
Wise Dan had never trained on grass until this summer, as the clockers timed Wise Dan going the opening quarter mile in 24 seconds flat and then the 4-year-old gelding galloped five furlongs in 58.40 seconds.
The trainer admitted that he had not considered grass for Wise Dan, Lopresti was of the view that Wise Dan would be a better horse on longer distance, but never tried him on turf before and after an excellent response, Wise Dan might get a permanent switch
of surface.
Wise Dan has had only one start on turf, and one start it took to recognize how great he is on grass. The winner of the Shadwell Turf Mile will get an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on turf.
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