WO Mile (Grade 1) (BC)- $1,000.000 Purse
WO- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile on the Turf
September 19, 2020
Much was on the line in the 15th running of the WO Mile, as an automatic bid into the BC Mile would await the winner. Heading into the race, it seemed as though Kimura would be the one to beat, but he would not be the story on this day. Instead, it was a gelding from Nakamura Stables named Iron Nation that would get the victory. It did seem like he would be one of the top threats in the race, and he was among our picks in the preview. His odds would approach 10/1, as a few horses took some more money. The post-time favorite, Kimura, disappointed many as he failed to finish in the top half of the field. As for Nakamura Stables, this is his second consecutive win in the race, as he was also the owner of Decision In Five, a gelding that has had a strong career, but did not end up faring well in the BC Mile. Now, it will be on Iron Return to do better in about six weeks. Congratulations to him and to jockey S Ryan, who won the race for the first time. The race went in 1:32.58, the quickest since 2012. Let’s take a look at it!
(¼ Mile- :23.06)- The early leader of this race would be the post-time favorite, Kimura, from Mb Stables, making some wonder if that is really where the trainer wanted him so soon. He usually does run well at the start, so it could have been the plan. Initially, his stablemate, Hefner, was running with him, but that one would back up to fourth after a quarter mile. Inching up into the second position would be Atomic Eclipse, part of La Canada Racehorses, and Sunlander, from Estero Farms was third on the rail. Running with the fourth place Hefner would be Serengeti Sands, as TwinTowersRacing hoped this could be the race that ended his string of double digit finishes. Night Creature, from D J C Racing Stables, was part of this group as well that were two lengths back. The gritty veteran Lunar Blaze, from John Henry, was next, a bit ahead of a group of three, that from inside to outside, featured Hammerfest (Smokey Stover), Sweet Sweat (Mb Stables), and our eventual winner, Iron Return, from Nakamura Stables. Sneaky Little Stover (Team 7 Illusions) was next while running five wide. The trailers are Duke Or Earl (Gdp Inc), Red Cup (John Henry), and Crafty Shenanigans (Eastern Equine).
(½ Mile- :46.15)- Kimura continues to run strongly on the front end, but he begins to get a little more pressure from Atomic Eclipse, who was moderately pushing for the lead but not overdoing it in the process. These two would pull ahead by a length and a half over Sunlander, who for now, was having a pretty clean trip while along the rail. Night Creature was right to his outside, and a few lanes over, it was Sneaky Little Stover. Behind them, the pack ran in very tight proximity. Iron Nation was able to run on the outside here, and would potentially look to move to the outside of Sneaky Little Stover, so he did not have as much to worry about in regards to traffic as did others. Duke Or Earl could run to his Iron Nation’s outside if he wanted. Closer to the rail, Hammerfest would need things to open up for him.
(Top Of Stretch, 2F To Go)- During the turn, Atomic Eclipse prepared to make the pass of Kimura, and would emerge at the top of the stretch with race lead, surprisingly leaving Kimura behind with ease. His biggest challengers were going to be from other horses, and this is where Iron Nation began looking strong. About midway through the turn, we began to see him race with a little more ambition, and towards the exit, he began making up noteworthy ground. He was now just two and a half lengths from the lead. Duke Or Earl had a wide trip in the turn, but he did not have to worry about traffic as others did, and would have a clear lane from this point. Hammerfest seemed to be trapped here, as clearly he had plenty of run that R Bejarano was waiting to unleash, he just did not have room. He’d eventually hope for something to open up to the outside of Night Creature. Sweet Sweat had a clear lane in front of him now, but had more work to do to catch up then some of his bigger rivals here.
(Finish- 1:32.58)- Early in the stretch, Atomic Eclipse seemed to be looking good, maintaining a steady stride and leading by a length over a wall that was setting up behind him, which we’re accustomed to seeing with frequency here. Emerging as the top horse in that group would be Iron Return, but Hammerfest had room to run now and was going to make a strong bid of his own. Duke Or Earl and Sweet Sweat were also looking better then others here. Surprisingly, Kimura was dropping out of everything without any sort of fight. In the final moments, Iron Return would be just a little better than others, holding off Duke Or Earl, who was right to his outside, and Hammerfest, who was closer to the rail. At the end, the thrilling win and BC Mile ticket goes to Iron Return, a length ahead of Hammerfest, and won the headbob over Duke Or Earl for second. Surely, this race would have a dead heat for paying position, and sure enough that happens for fourth between Atomic Eclipse and Sweet Sweat. It’s a length to Sunlander, who beats out the nearby Red Cup, Hefner, Kimura, Sneaky Little Stover. Lunar Blaze and Crafty Shenanigans are another length back. Then, three more to Serengeti Sands, who has another tough day at the track.
About The Winner- Iron Nation, trained by Nakamura Stables and ridden to victory by S Ryan, is a three year old gelding by Telling Ya, and is out of Chanceux. He was bred a yearling in California by Nakamura Stables, the only trainer for which he has ever known. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his fifth in twelve starts, his fourth stake win, and second graded win. HIs career earnings are now $1,301.000.
Track: Firm
Time: :23 :46 1:09 1:322
$2 Mutuel Prices:
$1 Exacta: 9 – 3 Paid 73.20
$1 Trifecta: 9 – 3 – 10 Paid 1,668.50
Scratched: Hollywood Estrella
— NS
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
