Emerald Downs: Five Star General wins his 2nd Longacre Mile

Five Star General refused to lose Sunday at Emerald Downs, surging past Clovisconnection in the final stride for a head victory in the 89th running of the $150,000 Longacres Mile.

The betting favorite ridden by Joe Bravo, Five Star General ran the mile in 1:34.98 and paid $4.22, $3.18, and $2.44.

Grant Forster, saddling his third Longacres Mile winner, is the trainer for owner Ken Alhadeff of Elttaes Stable in Seattle.

With the victory, Five Star General added the latest chapter to what is fast becoming one of the greatest resumes in the storied history of the Mile. He joins Amble In, Simply Majestic, Trooper Seven and Stryker Phd as the only two-time winners, and even more remarkably has now finished first, second or third in the last five runnings of the race. He also joins Little Rollo, Gigantic and Awesome Gem as 8-year-olds to win.

Unlike last year, when Five Star General looked like a winner throughout, this one was anything but easy. Five wide around the first turn, languishing an uncharacteristic sixth on the backstretch, four wide on the second turn and still with work to do into the stretch, Five Star General somehow mustered the energy to tag Clovisconnection with a late push to the wire.

A Kentucky-bred by Distorted Humor, Five Star General improved to 13: 6-9 in 39 starts with earnings of $902,202. Sunday’s win was worth $82,500, and Alhadeff hinted the horse is likely to be retired.

With many of Alhadeff’s family and friends in attendance, the traditional winner’s circle picture was taken on the racetrack, and the winning owner was jubilant.

“The Thoroughbred is about courage, beauty, strength and power, and the will to overcome the odds,” Alhadeff said. “This horse and jockey willed this win today.”

Forster, who cut his training teeth at Emerald Downs, saluted the winning horse as well.

“I’m over the moon for Five Star General,” Forster said. “He’s every trainer’s dream and has earned his place in Mile history.”

Bravo, riding the 5,673rd winner of his career, said Five Star General ran a gutsy race.

“This horse is a warrior,” he said. “He overcame everything to win today.”

Clovisconnection did everything but win the race for trainer Blaine Wright and owner-breeder William Hedrick. The 4-year-old California-bred by Vronsky shook loose early, setting fractions of 23.14, 46.05, 1:09.68 and 1:22.02, was two lengths clear past mid-stretch and just missed the victory.

Ridden by William Antongeorgi, the runner-up returned $6.36 and $4.82. His career mark is 9: 2-1 in 15 starts with earnings of $350,550.

Slew’s Tiz Whiz, ridden by Jose Zunino, unleashed a furious late rally inside to finish third, 1 1/2 lengths behind Clovisconnection, and paid $3.44 to show. The 6-year-old Washington now has a win and two thirds in the last three Miles and is 23: 9-4-4 overall with $316,457 in earnings.

Prince Abu Dhabi, six wide on the first turn, was five lengths behind Slew’s Tiz Whiz in fourth place to give Wright two of the top four finishers.

Rounding out the full order of finish were Arma d’Oro, Phantom Ride, Muncey, Surpsinglyperfect, Giant Game, Dehshambeau and Il Bellator.

Neiman was scratched earlier in the day.