2012 Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. I) winner Little Mike earned a return trip to that race when he held off Big Blue Kitten to win the $600,000 Joe Hirsch Invitational Turf Classic (gr. I) at Belmont Park by a nose.
Ridden for the first time by jockey Mike Smith, Little Mike entered the Joe Hirsch having not won a race since the Breeders' Cup Turf last November, and having not finished better than fourth in four starts this year. As a result, he was sent off at odds of 7-1 in a field that contained two-time grade I winner Big Blue Kitten, Arlington Million (gr. I) winner Real Solution, as well as world record-holder Twilight Eclipse.
Breaking from the far outside post position, Little Mike got off to a very good start and showed interest in challenging for the early lead, but after pacemaker Joes Blazing Aaron secured that position in the initial furlong, Little Mike took back to rate in fifth place, just behind King Kreesa, Imagining, and Nutello. Twilight Eclipse, Slumber, Real Solution, and Big Blue Kitten were the trailers.
Following quick fractions of :23.92, :47.70, 1:11.57, and 1:35.70, Little Mike unleashed a strong challenge on the far outside to gain command of the lead entering the homestretch. Big Blue Kitten, Real Solution, and Slumber were all rallying as well, but Little Mike successfully held them all off to win by a nose in the quick time of 2:25.00 for twelve furlongs.
Big Blue Kitten rallied well along the rail to finish second, a length clear of stablemate Real Solution. Slumber was another neck back in fourth, followed by Twilight Eclipse, Imagining, King Kreesa, Nutello, and Joes Blazing Aaron.
Little Mike, a son of Spanish Steps out of the Wavering Monarch mare Hay Jude, is trained by Dale Romans and owned by Priscilla Vaccarezza.
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