Mo Forza, Spiced Perfection lead Miller's barn into new year
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In a conversation this week with Horse Racing Nation, trainer Peter Miller shared plans for his barn stars, most of them based at southern California's San Luis Rey Training Center and training toward upcoming stakes.
Leading the list is Mo Forza, who on Sunday received an invitation to the Pegasus World Cup Turf. The newly turned 4-year-old has won four straight races, beginning with a maiden score in his sixth career start, and subsequently won the Twilight Derby (G2), Hollywood Derby (G1) and Mathis Brothers Mile (G2).
So, what's the secret with this Uncle Mo colt?
“It’s his maturity. He’s just figuring it out,” Miller said. “He’s just a big kid, but now he’s just a big, fast kid.”
Mo Forza is one of eight Grade 1 winners on the list for the Pegasus Turf, a 1 3/16-mile race on Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park. He figures to be among the top contenders in a field led by European invader Magic Wand.
Before then, Spiced Perfection, winner of the Go For Wand Handicap (G3) in her latest start, is set to represent the Miller barn in Saturday's La Canada Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park.
Miller said he's not concerned with the 1 1/16-mile distance for a mare who ran fourth in the 2019 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.
“She just won at a mile, albeit a one-turn mile," the trainer said. "She’s finished second at a mile and a sixteenth. So yeah, we’re looking at that (the La Canada). I don’t see any reason why she can’t do it.”
The 5-year old Smiling Tiger mare put in a half-mile breeze at San Luis Rey in 1:01 on Saturday to complete serious preparations.
Spiced Perfection returned to the races after a $1.35 million final bid at the Keeneland November sale didn't meet her reserve price. Longterm, connections are hoping for another shot at the Breeders, Cup. It renews later this year at Keeneland, where Spiced Perfection is a two-time graded stakes winner.
Billy Batts, last seen finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, is back in training and should appear in the entries within the next month, Miller said.
Stakes-placed in consecutive listed events as a 2-year-old, the ridgling son of City Zip will ease back into the races.
“I think I’m going to look for an allowance race for him," Miller said. "He’s still got the allowance condition."
Billy Batts also breezed on Saturday at San Luis Rey, going three furlongs in 38 1/5 seconds.
Not all news was good news from Miller, however. The 3-year old filly Leucothea, last seen winning Del Mar's Nov. 10 Desi Arnaz Stakes, came down with an illness since then and has taken up farm life while recuperating.
“She got sick," Miller said. "She’s currently on the farm but she’s doing better.”
A daughter of Midshipman, Leucothea rose from the maiden claiming ranks to start in Santa Anita Park's Chandelier Stakes (G1). She lost her rider at the start and didn't finish, but rebounded to win the Oct. 13 Anoakia Stakes by 8 1/2 lengths leading into her easy Desi Arnaz victory.
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