In last year's Clark Handicap (gr. I), trainer Charles Lopresti finished first with Successful Dan, only to watch as his horse was disqualified for interference in the stretch. This year, Wise Dan was able to give his trainer a victory for keeps when he blew past Mission Impazible in the stretch to win the $500,000 event by three widening lengths.
Ridden by John Velazquez, the four-year-old gelding settled just off the pace in third as Will's Wildcat went straight to the lead from gate ten. Mission Impazible was racing on his outside in second, followed by Stately Victory toward the inside in fourth with Prayer For Relief fifth on the far outside. A break of two lengths or so separated the favorites Flat Out and Ruler On Ice from the front-running group. General Quarters, Mister Marti Gras, Demarcation, Alma d'Oro, Pleasant Prince, and Headache trailed the field in that order.
Will's Wildcat continued to set the pace around the far turn, but was passed by Mission Impazible approaching the stretch. For a brief moment Mission Impazible appeared to be en route to victory, but Wise Dan was gearing up with a powerful run on the outside that took him into the lead and on to victory passing the eighth pole. The final time was 1:48.95. Mister Marti Gras got up for fourth by a long neck over Ruler On Ice, with Headache another neck behind him. Alma d'Oro, Will's Wildcat, Prayer For Relief, Stately Victor, Demarcation, Pleasant Prince, and General Quarters completed the order of finish.
Wise Dan has most definitely stamped himself as one of the leading older horses heading into 2012. Long considered to be a sprinter/miler type, he has proven himself just as good if not better at nine furlongs than shorter distances and now has graded stakes victories on durt, turf, and synthetic tracks.
-Keelerman
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