Wise Dan added another prestigious race to his already stellar record when he romped to an easy victory in the $750,000 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (gr. I) this afternoon at Keeneland, stamping himself as the solid favorite for the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. I) on November 3rd at Santa Anita Park.
Ridden to victory by Jose Lezcano, Wise Dan was allowed to settle back into seventh place during the initial stages of the one-mile race, about five lengths behind pace-setting Silver Max. Dominus, Skyring, Swift Warrior, and Corporate Jungle were the closest pursuers, followed by Ol Army and Wise Dan. Willcox Inn, Slip and Drive, Doubles Partner, Data Link, and Worthadd were the early trailers.
Through fractions of :23.33 and :46.89 seconds, Silver Max led the way, but Dominus soon moved up to challenge and stuck his head in front following three-quarters of a mile in 1:10.87. But it would not stay there for long, because Wise Dan was in the process of making a terrific run on the far outside. With a phenomenal burst of acceleration, Wise Dan blew the race wide open, leaving Dominus far behind. He led by 3 1/2 lengths passing the eighth pole and eventually coasted home in front by 2 1/4 lengths to stop the clock for a mile in 1:34.94 seconds.
Willcox Inn turned in a sharp late rally to secure second at odds of 48-1, while 100-1 shot Slip and Drive finished third. Doubles Partner, Data Link, Dominus, Corporate Jungle, Swift Warrior, Silver Max, Skyring, Worthadd and Ol Army completed the order of finish.
The winner is trained by Charles Lopresti and owned by Morton Fink. A five-year-old gelded son of Wiseman's Ferry out of the Wolf Power mare Lisa Danielle, Wise Dan has now won three grade I races, the other two being the 2012 Woodbine Mile and the 2011 Clark Handicap. All told, he has won 12 of his 19 starts, with earnings of $2,461,638.
-Keelerman
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