Kodiak Kowboy wins the 2009 Cigar Mile
November 28, 2009
The Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend closes out the New York Grade 1 stakes schedule. The highlight race of the afternoon is the $300,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G1), a 1 mile trip for older horses. The 2-horse Godolphin Racing entry was sent off as the 6-5 favorite in the field of 6, consisting of Forego winner Pyro, coming to Aqueduct off a last place effort in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita, and Vineyard Haven, winner of his last 2 starts, both in Grade 1 company, the King's Bishop at Saratoga and then the DeFrancis Memorial Dash at Laurel.
In to challenge them included 2-1 second choice Bribon, exiting a 5th place effort in the Woodbine Mile after winning the Met Mile and Westchester Handicap, and 3-1 third choice Kodiak Kowboy, winner of the Vosburgh last out after finishing second in the Forego to Pyro.
Vineyard Haven and Driven by Success battled for the lead exiting the chute and down the long backstretch through quick fractions of 23.69 and 46.80 with Kodiak Kowboy and Bribon contesting third about 2 1/2 lengths off the leaders. Entering the stretch, Driven by Success tired and faded to last, allowing Vineyard Haven to continue to lead through 6f in 1:11.54. Bribon put in his bid at the 3/16 pole and gained a short lead in mid-stretch, but Kodiak Kowboy came out wide for the drive, passing both Bribon and Vineyard Haven at the 70-yard pole to win by 3/4 length in 1:35.57 over the fast main track. Bribon held off co-favorite Vineyard Haven by a head to earn second place money.
Results chart
Also on the card were the Remsen and Demoiselle Stakes for the 2-year-olds.
Kodiak Kowboy in the winner's circle
Tom Ludt, president of winning co-owner Vinery Stables said, "That's three Grade 1's this year. We couldn't be happier. He was a little closer to the pace than normal, but he was just sitting there so comfortably. Shaun rode a great race. He's ridden him well as a 2-year-old, and as a 4-year-old. This horse has been so good for us. Now, he's going home to be a dad."
Kodiak Kowboy returns after the race
Winning jockey Shaun Bridgmohan said, "He is such a cool horse. I had such a great trip. I was just very patient with him, and when I asked him, he responded like the professional he's always been. What a nice horse."
Second place finisher Bribon
Jockey Rajiv Maragh said, "I had what I thought was a great trip. I was in a good spot the whole way. The race unfolded like I was hoping it would. The two front runners got into a little bit of a duel and I fell right into the garden spot. He ran hard all the way to the wire, and it's unfortunate he didn't win. He ran too good to lose, but there can only be one winner."
Trainer Robert Ribaudo added, "He ran great.
We were a little concerned because the track seemed to be putting up some slow times, but the track didn't seem to bother him. I certainly won't run him early in Gulfstream. It depends how he comes back. But we need him around for next year."
Third place finisher Vineyard Haven
Jockey Alan Garcia said, "My horse just didn't have it like he did last time."
Trainer Saeed bin Suroor added, "I like (Vineyard Haven) to be there in front, that's the plan. But the horse is not the same as we saw in his last two races. I talked to Alan and he said he was struggling and when he went to ask him, there was nothing there. I was disappointed with the result."
Flashing wins the 2009 Gazelle Stakes
The second Grade 1 event on the card is the $300,000 Gazelle Stakes (G1) for 3-year-old fillies. Last year's champion 2-year-old filly Stardom Boiund was the 2-1 favorite in this 1 1/8 mile main track event, unraced since finishing third in the Ashland at Keeneland in April. In to challenge her included 9-4 second choice Unrivaled Belle, winner of three straight including the Real Prize last out, and 3-1 third choice Flashing, winner of the Test at Saratoga but third in the Presque Isle Masters and a well-beaten 12th in the Raven Run at Keeneland.
Jockey Richard Migliore sent Flashing to the front soon after the start, setting a pace of 24.24, 48.73, and 1:12.90 over the fast track, with Unrivaled Belle pressing her on the outside around the clubhouse turn and down the backstretch. Favorite Stardom Bound was off slowly and raced back in 6th early. On the far turn, Flashing began to pull away from the field, opening up a 3 length lead at the top of the lane through 1 mile in 1:37.75. Unrivaled Belle couldn't stay with her but was the best of the rest, as Flashing cruised under the line 4 1/4 lengths in front, winning from gate to wire in 1:50.94. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back from Unrivaled Belle to Bon Jovi Girl third. Favorite Stardom Bound failed to put in a significant rally after her slow start and finished a disappointing 5th.
Results chart
Flashing in the winner's circle
Winning jockey Richard Migliore said, "When she gets comfortable and get in a rhythm, she seems like she can run forever. I know everybody was a little concerned that she might go too quick, but she's really settled so well for me in the mornings. As long as you don't get into a fight with her, she kind of tucks herself up and goes on like a little deer. I knew at the 3/8 pole she was going to be very tough.
The two times I rode her on conventional dirt I won Grade 1's on her, so obviously I love her."
Flashingreturns afterwinning the Gazelle
Rick Mettee, assistant to winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor said, "The race really set up like Richard and Saeed and I thought it would. Making the front with Kent sitting on her flank a little bit, that's the way we thought it would transpire. When they put up the 48 and change, I thought she'd be either first or second after that. When she was able to shake away from that other filly it was great.
It was the first time she's run 9 furlongs and maybe that's what she's wanted all along. Saeed was right not wanting to send her out to California. It was the right thing to do to keep her and keep her fresh. She rewarded us today and validated that Grade 1 win up at Saratoga (The Test) and showed it was no fluke."
9-4 second choice Unrivaled Belle pressed the pace from outside for 3/4 mile under jockey Kent Desormeaux but could not challenge the winner, finishing second beaten 4 1/4 lengths. The Bill Mott trained daughter of Unbridled's Song improved her record to 3 wins and 2 seconds in 5 starts, earning $160,270 for owners and breeders Peter Vegso and Gary Seidler.
Her trainer Juan Rodriguez said, "Mike said she got a little tired." The 2-1 favorite angled to the inside after breaking awkwardly under regular rider Mike Smith, trailed early, moved between horses at the 1/4 pole but failed to rally, finishing 5th beaten 7 1/2 lengths.
November 28, 2009
The Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend closes out the New York Grade 1 stakes schedule. The highlight race of the afternoon is the $300,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G1), a 1 mile trip for older horses. The 2-horse Godolphin Racing entry was sent off as the 6-5 favorite in the field of 6, consisting of Forego winner Pyro, coming to Aqueduct off a last place effort in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita, and Vineyard Haven, winner of his last 2 starts, both in Grade 1 company, the King's Bishop at Saratoga and then the DeFrancis Memorial Dash at Laurel.
In to challenge them included 2-1 second choice Bribon, exiting a 5th place effort in the Woodbine Mile after winning the Met Mile and Westchester Handicap, and 3-1 third choice Kodiak Kowboy, winner of the Vosburgh last out after finishing second in the Forego to Pyro.
Vineyard Haven and Driven by Success battled for the lead exiting the chute and down the long backstretch through quick fractions of 23.69 and 46.80 with Kodiak Kowboy and Bribon contesting third about 2 1/2 lengths off the leaders. Entering the stretch, Driven by Success tired and faded to last, allowing Vineyard Haven to continue to lead through 6f in 1:11.54. Bribon put in his bid at the 3/16 pole and gained a short lead in mid-stretch, but Kodiak Kowboy came out wide for the drive, passing both Bribon and Vineyard Haven at the 70-yard pole to win by 3/4 length in 1:35.57 over the fast main track. Bribon held off co-favorite Vineyard Haven by a head to earn second place money.
Results chart
Also on the card were the Remsen and Demoiselle Stakes for the 2-year-olds.
Kodiak Kowboy in the winner's circle
Tom Ludt, president of winning co-owner Vinery Stables said, "That's three Grade 1's this year. We couldn't be happier. He was a little closer to the pace than normal, but he was just sitting there so comfortably. Shaun rode a great race. He's ridden him well as a 2-year-old, and as a 4-year-old. This horse has been so good for us. Now, he's going home to be a dad."
Kodiak Kowboy returns after the race
Winning jockey Shaun Bridgmohan said, "He is such a cool horse. I had such a great trip. I was just very patient with him, and when I asked him, he responded like the professional he's always been. What a nice horse."
Second place finisher Bribon
Jockey Rajiv Maragh said, "I had what I thought was a great trip. I was in a good spot the whole way. The race unfolded like I was hoping it would. The two front runners got into a little bit of a duel and I fell right into the garden spot. He ran hard all the way to the wire, and it's unfortunate he didn't win. He ran too good to lose, but there can only be one winner."
Trainer Robert Ribaudo added, "He ran great.
We were a little concerned because the track seemed to be putting up some slow times, but the track didn't seem to bother him. I certainly won't run him early in Gulfstream. It depends how he comes back. But we need him around for next year."
Third place finisher Vineyard Haven
Jockey Alan Garcia said, "My horse just didn't have it like he did last time."
Trainer Saeed bin Suroor added, "I like (Vineyard Haven) to be there in front, that's the plan. But the horse is not the same as we saw in his last two races. I talked to Alan and he said he was struggling and when he went to ask him, there was nothing there. I was disappointed with the result."
Flashing wins the 2009 Gazelle Stakes
The second Grade 1 event on the card is the $300,000 Gazelle Stakes (G1) for 3-year-old fillies. Last year's champion 2-year-old filly Stardom Boiund was the 2-1 favorite in this 1 1/8 mile main track event, unraced since finishing third in the Ashland at Keeneland in April. In to challenge her included 9-4 second choice Unrivaled Belle, winner of three straight including the Real Prize last out, and 3-1 third choice Flashing, winner of the Test at Saratoga but third in the Presque Isle Masters and a well-beaten 12th in the Raven Run at Keeneland.
Jockey Richard Migliore sent Flashing to the front soon after the start, setting a pace of 24.24, 48.73, and 1:12.90 over the fast track, with Unrivaled Belle pressing her on the outside around the clubhouse turn and down the backstretch. Favorite Stardom Bound was off slowly and raced back in 6th early. On the far turn, Flashing began to pull away from the field, opening up a 3 length lead at the top of the lane through 1 mile in 1:37.75. Unrivaled Belle couldn't stay with her but was the best of the rest, as Flashing cruised under the line 4 1/4 lengths in front, winning from gate to wire in 1:50.94. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back from Unrivaled Belle to Bon Jovi Girl third. Favorite Stardom Bound failed to put in a significant rally after her slow start and finished a disappointing 5th.
Results chart
Flashing in the winner's circle
Winning jockey Richard Migliore said, "When she gets comfortable and get in a rhythm, she seems like she can run forever. I know everybody was a little concerned that she might go too quick, but she's really settled so well for me in the mornings. As long as you don't get into a fight with her, she kind of tucks herself up and goes on like a little deer. I knew at the 3/8 pole she was going to be very tough.
The two times I rode her on conventional dirt I won Grade 1's on her, so obviously I love her."
Flashingreturns afterwinning the Gazelle
Rick Mettee, assistant to winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor said, "The race really set up like Richard and Saeed and I thought it would. Making the front with Kent sitting on her flank a little bit, that's the way we thought it would transpire. When they put up the 48 and change, I thought she'd be either first or second after that. When she was able to shake away from that other filly it was great.
It was the first time she's run 9 furlongs and maybe that's what she's wanted all along. Saeed was right not wanting to send her out to California. It was the right thing to do to keep her and keep her fresh. She rewarded us today and validated that Grade 1 win up at Saratoga (The Test) and showed it was no fluke."
9-4 second choice Unrivaled Belle pressed the pace from outside for 3/4 mile under jockey Kent Desormeaux but could not challenge the winner, finishing second beaten 4 1/4 lengths. The Bill Mott trained daughter of Unbridled's Song improved her record to 3 wins and 2 seconds in 5 starts, earning $160,270 for owners and breeders Peter Vegso and Gary Seidler.
Her trainer Juan Rodriguez said, "Mike said she got a little tired." The 2-1 favorite angled to the inside after breaking awkwardly under regular rider Mike Smith, trailed early, moved between horses at the 1/4 pole but failed to rally, finishing 5th beaten 7 1/2 lengths.
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