Horse Racing
Claire Novak 9y

Wise Dan blows away foes

Horse Racing

No matter what obstacles are thrown at him this season, two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan refuses to lose.

Making his first start in Grade 1 company Oct. 4 since undergoing May 16 colic surgery, Morton FInk's 7-year-old Wiseman's Ferry gelding hesitated at the start of the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland and found himself dead last headed into the first turn.

"Once that door opened and he didn't break, I knew this was going to be a tough job behind horses to get him to settle," Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez said. "Once I put him to the outside he kicked in with his usual kick, but it was a little scary there to get him to settle behind horses, definitely."

Jockey Robby Albarado attempted to walk the dog on 3013 Shadwell winner Silver Max, galloping an easy quarter in :24.58 seconds and a half in :48.27 seconds before getting three-quarters in 1:12.02, but Wise Dan was moving up gradually between rivals to improve his position.

"His head was sideways and he didn't break, and I was a little worried but even down the backside I liked the way he was tugging," trainer Charlie LoPresti said. "Once I saw that :24 seconds and change, I thought, 'Somebody's got to go with Silver Max, that's the way he steals races.'"

Wise Dan was still seventh around the turn for home and had tremendous ground to make up coming into the stretch. Swung out to the six path and set down for the drive, the six-time Eclipse Award winner found another gear on the outside and swept up to best Grand Arch by a length in the final strides.

"When he kicked it for home, he just killed it," LoPresti said. "He's been training like a monster. He ran a great race."

Wise Dan returned to the races Aug. 31 with a score over Optimizer in the Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga Race Course, but many wondered if he was the same horse who put together back-to-back victories in the Maker's 46 Mile and the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic earlier in the season.

On Saturday at Keeneland, the old Dan was back. He ran the mile on good turf in 1:35.62, paying $3.80, $2.80, and $2.10 as the 4-5 favorite. Grand Arch returned $10.20 and $6 at 19-1, while Sayaad brought 4.60 another length back in third. Kaigun, Silver Max, Seek Again, Optimizer, and Two Notch Road completed the order of finish.

The Shadwell is a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" event, giving the winner an automatic berth in the starting gate for the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita Park, with starter and entry fees paid along with a travel stipend.

Wise Dan, winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile in 2012 and 2013, will next return to the site of his greatest triumphs in search of a third consecutive MIle score.

"He's going where he's always gone, I see no reason to change anything," Fink said.

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