Mind Control re-rallies, surges past Silver State in Parx Dirt Mile

Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stable’s Mind Control came back in the final stride to beat favorite Silver State in the $200,000 Parx Dirt Mile.

With jockey John Velazquez, Mind Control settled on the outside behind the pack of Rock On Luke, Warrior’s Charge and West Will Power through fractions of :23.52 and :47.16. Mind Control took the lead at the quarterpole while Silver State, who broke awkwardly and trailed the field for the first half of the race, also made his rally.

Silver State collared Mind Control and briefly took the lead in the stretch, but Mind Control came back for the head victory while covering the mile in 1:36.59 and paid $7.20 to win.

“He didn’t give up, I didn’t give up,” Velazquez said. “When I asked for more, he gave me more. I don’t remember riding him this long, two-turns. He’s been in a mile, a one turn mile, and then I don’t remember him going that far. I always thought he could but we never tried him for a long time and he showed us that he could.”

Byron Hughes, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher, was also pleased with the outcome for Mind Control, who has earned his second victory since Pletcher took over the 5-year-old training in the spring.

“Silver State looked like he got the jump on him and it didn't look like we were going to get back up in time,” Hughes said. “But Johnny kept driving and the horse has a big heart and it's not the first time he has done something like that, so we were happy with it.”