The emerging top miler of the US, Wise Dan, smashes the course-record when landing the Breeders’ Cup Mile
With the credentials of one of the best 2012 campaigns, the Charles Lopresti trained, Wise Dan, set the cherry right in the middle of the cake by sweeping the $2 million, Grade 1, Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita on 3rd November. The five-year-old
gelding has recently emerged as one of the most over whelming milers of the US, and he stamped his greatness by proving it through one of the feature races of the two-day extravaganza.
The Breeders’ Cup Mile was not the definite choice for the Kentucky bred by, Morton Fink, as he was also being considered for participation in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. However, when Wiseman Ferry’s five-year-old won the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Woodbine
on 16th September, 2012 over a mile then the connections decided to keep the miler on turf.
His stance over the mile did make the connections doubtful about his eventual ranking, as the gelding slowed down towards the concluding furlongs as compared to his higher pace at the beginning of the race.
Under the regular jockey, John Velazquez, he defeated, Animal Kingdom, by 1 ¼ lengths, and with that broke course-record time to 1:31.78 which was 1:31.89 in 1997 struck by, Atticus.
The Team Valor International’s representative, Animal Kingdom, proved out to be the only threat for Wise Dan, that he took down impressively.
The Aidan O’Brien trained, Excelebration, ended fourth, a ranking that was beyond expectations and comprehension of the connections. He will retire to stud after having posted the Breeders’ Cup Mile as his farewell race of the career.
The five-year-old foaled by, Lisa Danielle, has become a true expert when it comes to racing over mile, as Wise Dan has won four consecutive one-mile turf races, three of them were Grade 1 and a single Grade II.
"I was able to use the (Shadwell Mile) as the perfect set-up for today," Lopresti said. "He proved he was the best horse today. I never had any doubts. He's just a special horse.
"We'll probably take him back to our farm in Kentucky and give him some time. We'll make a plan for him at the first of the year."
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