Mott plots best distance for 2-time Jaipur hero Casa Creed

LRE Racing and JEH Racing Stable’s Casa Creed earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure for successfully defending his title in Saturday’s Grade 1, $400,000 Jaipur at six furlongs over a firm Widener turf.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and piloted by Luis Saez, the 6-year-old Jimmy Creed bay settled in mid-pack as True Valour led the field through splits of 22.36 seconds and 44.94 under pressure from Arrest Me Red.

Casa Creed cut the corner into the stretch before Saez angled his horse outside the pacesetters at the eighth pole and mowed down the leaders for a half-length score over Arrest Me Red in a final time of 1:07.44.

The victory came in stark contrast to last year’s deep-closing score under Junior Alvarado.

“I think when you put Luis on, you automatically get a little closer sometimes,” Mott said. “I think that's his style. Obviously, it worked out. He came from near last, last year.”

In victory, Casa Creed secured a "win and you're in" berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint going 5 ½ furlongs in November at Keeneland.

Mott said the abbreviated distance at Keeneland may be too short for Casa Creed, but that a start in the $500,000 Fourstardave (G1) on Aug. 13 at Saratoga, which offers a "win and you’re in" berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile, could be in the cards.

“We should probably wait for the Jaipur next year,” Mott said, with a laugh. “Lee (Einsidler of LRE Racing) would be more interested in running a mile at Saratoga than he would be going five and a half.”

Mott said a trip north to Woodbine for the six-furlong Highlander (G2) on July 2 for older horses or the seven-furlong Connaught Cup (G2) on July 23 could also be in the cards.

"You'd like to find a six-or-seven-furlong race, five and 5 1/2 seems a little sharp for him," Mott said.

Mott said he was disappointed after finishing third with Speaker’s Corner in Saturday’s Metropolitan Handicap (G1), which was won impressively by the undefeated Flightline.

“I think we're better than that,” Mott said. “Take nothing away from the winner. He was awesome. He took it to us. He attacked and we didn't resist. I think our horse is better than that, but I'm not making excuses. I just naturally had higher hopes."

Speaker’s Corner jumped out to a quick lead over Flightline, who was off a step slow, but ultimately could not turn back the California invader.

Mott also sent out Channel Maker, the 2020 champion turf male, to a ninth-place finish in the Manhattan (G1). The multiple Grade 1-winning multi-millionaire spotted the field several lengths after breaking slowly from the outermost post 10 and never factored.

“He's fine. I just don't think he had time to settle in the gate,” Mott said.

Channel Maker entered from a game 1 1/4-length score in his seasonal debut in the Elkhorn (G2) on April 23 at Keeneland.