Wise Dan takes Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita
Wise Dan has now left it completely to the voters to decide his fate regarding the ‘Horse of the Year’ award. The 5-year-old wrapped up his campaign for the big award by taking an impressive win in the Grade 1, Breeders' Cup Mile, hosted by Santa Anita in
USA on Saturday, November 3rd.
The big fellow reached Santa Anita after registering three comprehensive wins at different venues. Continuing his marvellous work, the Charles Lopresti-trained performed magnificently at the big level.
Carrying the odds of 9 to 4, he tracked the leaders on the rail. In the hands of J. R. Velazquez, he switched outside over 1½f out. It was not an easy ride for him, as the rivals kept troubling him throughout.
He was shaken up in the middle stages, but did not lose determination. Owned by Morton Fink, the son of Wiseman’s Ferry quickened to challenge the leader a furlong before the wire. With the help of a strong finish, the Mort Fink-bred led in the final 120
yards, and subsequently retained his advantage until the finishing line.
A splendid effort guided him to an easy 1½-length success. It was fourth consecutive and 12th
overall victory for the maverick gelding. He has been performing brilliantly this season, and has grabbed five wins so far.
The only time he remained unsuccessful was in June, when he missed the crown only by a head’s distance. He has been unbeaten since then. His connections expressed enormous delight over another fascinating triumph. His chances of scoping the Horse of the
Year award have now become quite evident.
"He proved he was the best horse today. I never had any doubts," Lopresti said. "I was just a little concerned about how the race would shape up. He's just a special horse."
Velazquez added: "I just wanted to get him in the right position. When I was able to do that, and you've got a horse as good as this, you can expect a result like this."
The owner stated: "With this horse, this is crazy to say, it's almost impossible to do that to him. As soon as he sees daylight he's gone and nobody will beat him, nobody!"
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