Pat Day Mile Taken by Wild Shot
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Photo:
Averie Levanti
It is rare that a pace setter can fend off gaining challengers down the stretch when the fractions out front are blistering fast. And so was the case in the 2017 Pat Day Mile. Uncontested was ready to return to a race at a distance of one mile for the first time since January when he won the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn, however his overeagerness cost him today. Wild Shot was more than ready to take advantage. Also dropping back to one-turn, the son of Trappe Shot, rolled to an impressive four length victory today at Churchill Downs.
Breaking from post number 4, Uncontested quickly gained control out front and lead the field from the shoot and onto the backstretch and a first split of 22.24 through the opening quarter. Mike Smith clearly knew how much urgency he had underneath him but Uncontested would not be contained once he established a full-length lead over Rapid Dial along the rail and Wild Shot on his outside.
The pace proved to be too swift for Rapid Dial in this race, his third career start, as Uncontested powered the field ahead to a split of 44.79 in the opening half mile. Following his lead but keeping a comfortable distance, Corey Lanerie was working his Churchill Downs magic while he sat patiently before urging Wild Shot past Uncontested at just the right time.
Being on or near the lead through the final turn has been a recipe for success at Churchill Downs today. For the son of Trappe Shot, the careful timing gave him the chance to pounce on the front runner that was trying to wire the field once they rounded the turn and made their way to the top of the stretch. 6 furlongs was timed in 1:09.47 and Wild Shot began to draw away while Uncontested began to hang on for as long as he could along the rail.
The effort proved to be good enough for a third place as No Dozing and Joel Rosario gobbled him up for a second place finish. Meanwhile, the effort by You’re to Blame and Javier Castellano was a touch too late and they finished fourth.
“I didn’t know where I was going to be the first quarter. I went in with the mindset to let my horse run his race", said jockey Corie Lanerie. "I just patiently let him do what he wanted to do. It was a dream ride. When I called on him (at the top of the stretch), he had plenty left."
Like many other races on today's care, late closers were not a factor for the win. Though Wild Shot didn't take command of the lead until the stretch his separation of only a length along the backstretch and around the far time was the perfect stalking position to get by Uncontested out front and hold the remainder of the field in check down the stretch. To his credit and his trainer George Arnold, he made it look easy and no one in this competitive field was a threat.
“I didn’t know we had it but when he got about three in front at the eighth pole I felt pretty good", said Arnold. "We think this is what he wanted to do – a one-turn mile – and it worked out. I didn’t like 44 and change until they kept going but it worked out great."
For some horses, the Derby trail is just a test to see how far they can go and if the added distance is going to be right for their horse. In cases like today, the Derby trail was avoided and the wonderful decision was proven. "We tried the Derby trail and we just didn’t like the two turns so we backed him up", Arnold said after the race. "This horse probably will go to New York for the Woody Stephens on Belmont Day."
Coming into this year’s Pat Day Mile, Wild Shot was the 4-1 favorite on the morning line. By post time the betting public had looked elsewhere and sent Wild Shot back down to 8-1. Though he was not impressive his last time out in the Blue Grass Stakes, the form he showed with a third place effort behind two Kentucky Derby starters in the Tampa Bay Derby was on display today at Churchill Downs. The eventual post time favorite was No Dozing at 2.90-1, a slight dip from his morning line odds of 5-1.
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