September 16, 2015
The Grade I WO Mile featured a rematch of the first and third finishers from last year, when Seven Years was able to outfinish Son Of Ra, but this year, the tables were turned as Son Of Ra proved best by sitting closer to the leader and outfinishing him for the win with Seven Years a co-third. For the winner, a son of Nineveh, it was another crowning moment from humble beginnings as the former $6.250 reached the pinnacle once again with a 104-speed rating, the best of his career and the exclamation point on what could be a huge finish to his six-year-old season.
Defending champion Seven Years (7.80) broke best in the WO Mile and ended up with a brief early lead before Sir Tom (3.50) and Full Of Trinity (11.10) both moved up into contention, and those three set the pace with Son Of Ra (9.15) mired outside. As the champ went forward, his stalkers settled into a nice rhythm while the outside starter pulled back into a midpack placing with Irish Flu (43.80) and through an opening quarter-mile in a modest 23.12, everyone seemed to be in a good position. Seven Years was finally able to get down to the inside and save a bit of energy, leaving Sir Tom to draft perfectly and Silver Bullet (7.50) with plenty of room between horses and heading into the far turn, the complexity changed as everyone geared up for a tough run down the WO stretch. The half-mile split of 46.13 was certainly solid enough for the leader and he was two-lengths clear of Full Of Trinity in second and Sir Tom in third inside but the outside push was starting at the head of the lane, it was clear that anyone could win. Six-furlongs came up in a rapid 1:09.07 and Seven Years still looked incredibly tough to catch but with each and every stride, Silver Bullet seemed to be closing and in his shadow was Son Of Ra, mired outside the entire way but still with a chance to redeem himself from last year. As the field sprinted to the wire, it looked like it might be a repeat win for Seven Years but in the shadow of the post, Son Of Ra swept past to a head victory over Silver Bullet, with Seven Years tiring to a co-third with Gullis Grenade (27.95), who came rocketing wide to finish with another share of a big purse. Spotted Cat (5.85) came between horses to finish fifth over Sir Tom and a wide Iron Mann (*2.95), while Irish Flu failed to quicken from his inside post and ended up deep into the track. K T (19.05) never got involved, Full Speed Ahead (23.05) was outrun from the start and Full Of Trinity had his chance but was unable to quicken late and wound up last in this talented field.
A superstar in the free tracks like MNR and PEN, Son Of Ra was scooped up for a paltry $15.000 and since then, has only failed to garner a cheque once in his 11 starts and is now a duel Grade I winner with his triumph in the WO Mile. He will probably head straight to KEE off this win with the confidence of two straight victories under his belt and with both coming from an outside post, there is really nowhere on the track that this six-year-old cannot win from, and that is a dangerous prospect.
Congratulations goes out to owner Sanny Village and their six-year-old gelding Son Of Ra, a wide but wonderful winner of the Grade I WO Mile!
Prediction Seven Years / Sir Tom / Son Of Ra
Winner Son Of Ra
Six-year-old bay gelding
Nineveh-Classic Flirt (Auto-Generated)
Owner Sanny Village
Time 23.12, 46.13, 1:09.07, 1:32.80
Overall
Son Of Ra 9.15 wide run, pressed late, just up
Silver Bullet 7.50 between runners, had a chance, second-best
Seven Years (DH) 7.80 set pace, clear late, caught
Gullis Grenade (DH) 27.95 far back early, powerful rally
Spotted Cat 5.85 between horses late
Sir Tom 3.50 pressed, unable to quicken
Iron Mann *2.95 even effort
Irish Flu 43.80 brief speed, faded
K T 19.05 never involved
Full Speed Ahead 23.05 outrun
Full Of Trinity 11.10 faded badly
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
