Kentucky Derby trail: Mihos surges, wins Mucho Macho Man
The connections of Wicked Strong may have another Kentucky Derby contender on their hands if Mihos continues stepping forward.
That’s just what the son of Cairo Prince did Saturday in Gulfstream Park’s $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes, a one-turn race in which Mihos got up in the final strides to nab Trophy Chaser at Gulfstream Park.
Those two dueled to the wire as Code of Honor, the 4-5 race favorite, disappointed in his first start since October, finishing fourth. Before the race, trainer Shug McGaughey said that while connections were in to win, he was hoping for "a good, solid effort" off the bench.
The Mucho Macho Man didn't offer 2019 Kentucky Derby qualifying points but serves as a prep for a series of Gulfstream races that do, with the Holy Bull (G2) up next on Feb. 2.
Running for Centennial Farms, Mihos ran four-wide into the turn, tracking a half mile in 45.42 seconds, and had the look of a horse that wants to run farther, chasing down loose leader Trophy Chaser in the stretch.
"He had put in a little bit of a run going wide, so (jockey Jose Ortiz) was giving him a little breather," Jerkens said, "That's what good riders do. Then he got after him in the stretch. He switched his lead and wore them down."
The final time was 1:37.56 with the winner off at 5-2 in the field of six.
"Jimmy does a phenomenal job with horses like this -- getting them ready for big races -- and he did it again," said Centennial Farms President Don Little Jr. "We're excited, and it looks like we have a bright future."
Garter and Tie, a last-out Gulfstream stakes winner, was third ahead of Code of Honor, who ran just inside of Mihos through the turn. Trophy Chaser had known speed -- leaving the summer, his Beyer Speed Figure for a maiden win at Gulfstream Park ranked best of the crop -- but ran out of stamina in the final furlong.
As for Mihos, he has a legacy to live up to now. Wicked Strong, who shared the same owner and trainer, won the 2014 Wood Memorial on his way to a fourth-place Kentucky Derby finish and consistent career as an older horse.