Wise Dan is a Horse for all Courses

Quick, when I say name a gelding that can run on any surface, who comes to mind? Lava Man perhaps? That would be a great answer, as the great California bred gelding was a grade one winner on dirt, turf and Hollywood’s synthetic cushion surface. But if you are looking for a more recent three surface star, look no further than this afternoon’s easy winner of the Grade 1 Clark Handicap, Wise Dan.

When the Charles Lopresti trained, and Morton Fink owned, four-year-old son of Wiseman’s Ferry dominated a deep field of older stakes performers today at Churchill Downs to the tune of a 3 3/4 length win, it culminated an impressive streak of both talent and versatility.

In his last five races, Wise Dan has won four times. On July 4, he was much the best in the Grade 2 Firecracker, a one-mile affair on the grass. His next race was in the $250,000 Presque Isle Mile, where he earned a hard fought victory on the Western Pennsylvania oval’s synthetic track. After a 1 3/4 length defeat at the hands of Gio Ponti in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile, Wise Dan came back on a synthetic surface to romp in Keeneland’s Grade 2 Fayette Handicap. After a couple of very good performances on both turf and synthetics including three wins, what would Wise Dan do for encore?

Question asked and answered. With his win today, Wise Dan proved to be of absolute top quality on any surface. The win was also sweet redemption for his connections, who finished first in the Clark with Wise Dan’s half-brother, Successful Dan last year, only to be taken down in a somewhat questionable disqualification. No such problems today as the race was never in question soon after the large field hit the stretch.

More than one trainer has told me over the years that a good horse could win running over broken glass. That’s not something I ever care to see, but clearly, Wise Dan is a very good horse.