Subscribe Give A Gift Newsletters News Alerts Home News Racing Breeding Stallion Register Sire Lists Auctions International Videos Blogs Photos Audio Handicapping Health Regional Special Events Keeneland Sales Breeders Cup Triple Crown Eclipse Awards Downloads FREE Reports Industry Library Health Zone Tools National Stakes Conditions Calendars Classifieds Directory Horse Profiles Services Advertise Subscribe Photo Store Shop 30 Years in 30 Days: Wise Dans Mile, 2012 By Claire Novak, @BH_CNovak Updated: Saturday, November 2, 2013 12:38 PM Posted: Friday, November 1, 2013 10:18 PM Print Google + 30 Years in 30 Days: Wise Dans Mile, 2012 Photo: The 2012 Breeders Cup Mile (gr. IT) was everything we hoped it would be. We followed Wise Dan into the race with faith that Charlie LoPresti wasnt just full of trainer speak, that this horse was actually as brilliant as his conditioner said. Wed seen him win the Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) at Keeneland, the Woodbine Mile (Can-IT) at Woodbine, the Fourstardave Handicap (gr. IIT) at Saratoga Race Course, the Ben Ali (gr. III) in a record-setting route back in Lexington at the beginning of the season. But the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita Park would be his proving ground. Wise Dan Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt Wise Dan checks out the Santa Anita turf course. Ill always remember watching the Wisemans Ferry gelding walk through the backside Nov. 1 en route to his first gallop on the California lawn. He took in new surroundings with a confident air, strolling quietly beside the pony as he made his way to the track. Charlie walked up into the grandstand and settled down—seat 9, row 2—to watch his racehorse jog on by. There was a little haze surrounding the San Gabriel Mountain range, but the oval itself was drenched in sunlight and Wise Dans copper coat glinted in the beams. Anyone who watched him gallop that morning, neck bowed strong into the bridle, could see he was a force to be reckoned with. Wise Dan wasnt the only one touting himself that week. Animal Kingdom, the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner, was training in flat-out beast mode. That was part of the intrigue, trainer Graham Motion sending the Team Valor runner off his only start of the year—a Feb. 18 turf allowance at Gulfstream Park—straight into the games stiffest competition. Then there was Obviously, the front-running speedster who set a still-standing course record of 1:32.14 on the turf in the Aug. 26 Del Mar Mile (gr. IIT) and finished just 0.06 of a second off the track record Oct. 6 in the Arroyo Seco Mile (gr. IIT), and there was Excelebration, a highly regarded multiple group I winner who had the Europeans talking trash against Americas top horses. Even before the race was run, you knew it was going to be something special. Point of Entry was supposed to win the Breeders Cup Turf (gr. IT). He didnt. Game On Dude was supposed to win the Breeders Cup Classic (gr. I). He didnt. But Wise Dan won the Mile and did so in a record-setting 1:31.78, with the gallant Animal Kingdom surging late between horses after traffic trouble to finish 1 1/2 lengths behind. Obviously was third, Excelebration finished fourth. The race lived up to all the hype, and from Morton Finks lone remaining broodmare—$29,000 yearling purchase Lisa Danielle—a champion was born. I walked back with Wise Dan after the race, missing much of the Classic festivities, just standing there listening while he cropped at grass outside Barn 36. It was quiet and peaceful, and I felt the deep satisfaction that comes from knowing a horse is good, from knowing youve witnessed his best moments. The 2012 Mile was proof a great runner can come from anywhere. Once in a while, this game actually does deliver on all its promises Read more on BloodHorse: bloodhorse/horse-racing/articles/80451/30-years-in-30-days-wise-dans-mile-2012#ixzz2jheFj5UN
Posted on: Mon, 04 Nov 2013 17:31:02 +0000
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