Hog Creek Hustle survives inquiry for Woody Stephens win

Hog Creek Hustle rallied from the back, crossed the wire first and remained up after a stewards inquiry to win the Grade 1, $400,000 Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont Park.

The 3-year-old longshot ran 10th in the early going and drove wide to score an upset that paid $39.80. The Kentucky-bred son of Overanalyze, trained by Vickie Foley and campaigned by Something Special Racing, LLC crossed the wire in 1:21.12 over seven furlongs on the Belmont dirt.

Stewards raised an inquiry as to whether Hog Creek Hustle, under jockey Corey Lanerie, interfered with Mind Control, who had to take up during the stretch run.

"When I turned for home and tried to switch leads, I had no intention of coming over on (Mind Control), but he does that when you try to grab the right rein, he tries to run away from it," Lanerie said. "I was lucky that they left him up, because he was the best horse, but he needs to learn how to stay straight.

"I was worried about (the inquiry), especially watching the replay. I know he bothered (Mind Control) a little bit, but the fact he was done helped our cause. If that horse kept running and had gotten a better position, I think they would have disqualified us."

Mind Control trainer Gregg Sacco had John Velazquez in the irons Saturday.

“Johnny still had a lot of horse left, but he just came right over on him," Sacco said. "He just came right over on him. John thought he was coming down. He pulled up good. We’ll make sure he’s all right.”

Hog Creek Hustle’s score was his first in graded company. His only two prior wins came last year in a maiden special weight race at Ellis Park and an allowance optional claiming event at Churchill Downs.

Last out, Hog Creek Hustle ran second in Churchill’s Pat Day Mile Stakes (G3) on Kentucky Derby day.

Nitrous was second by a neck, followed by Borracho and Strike Silver.