Left out of Oaklawn Handicap, Endorsed proves stakes-quality

If Endorsed was to win Saturday’s fifth race at Oaklawn Park, he was going to prove much the best after a slow start that left him next to last in a field of 11 the first time by the wire.

And that’s exactly what the promising 4-year-old colt did, rallying five-wide through the far turn to strike in his debut for the Bill Mott barn.

Formerly trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, who has set out this spring as a jockey agent, Endorsed made a steady drive to the front. After looming up on the outside, he out-dueled a stubborn Pirate’s Punch in the lane to lead a stakes-quality group past the wire in allowance optional claiming company.

The Godolphin homebred Endorsed finished 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.39 under jockey Joel Rosario, topping a number of contenders who, in any other season, would have merited spots in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) later in the card. With nowhere else to run, however, a number of other top horses crowded the gate, leaving these accomplished older horses looking for a landing spot.

Endorsed, away as a 2-1 co-favorite, returned $6.80 to win. He held off the closing Bankit in second, while Pirate’s Punch ran third. Long Range Toddy was a close-up fourth.

By Medaglia d'Oro, Endorsed made his third start of the season Saturday. He won off the bench in allowance company on Jan. 11 at Gulfstream Park before shipping west, running fifth in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

Relatively lightly raced, with this victory in his eighth career start, the colt also placed last season in Saratoga’s Curlin Stakes before running fourth in the Travers (G1).

The Oaklawn win sets him up for a return to stakes company, perhaps once condition books are set at Churchill Downs, where Mott operates a string. The track opens May 16.