Kilroe Mile (Grade 1)- $500.000 Purse
SA- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile on the Turf
March 4, 2023
There was much to like about Mickey heading into the Kilroe Mile even with the race having as strong of a field as it did. The Proud Chai gelding was a monster as a three-year-old, capping off a great season with a win in the BC Turf. He was not done there, though, continuing his great form and looking like the one to beat here. While he was our pick to win, the bettors did not feel the same way for some reason and made him a 14/1 longshot. Still trying to figure that one out, but since he apparently had doubters still, hopefully he proved something to them with this impressive win in a time that approached the stake record. Mickey is trained by South Shore Stables and was ridden by L Saez. For each, it is their first win in the Kilroe Mile. Congratulations to them! The winning time was 1:32.15, the second fastest in the race’s history. Let’s take a look at it!
(1/4 Mile- :22.88)- It’s a smooth start for everyone out of the gate, but it would be Buffalo G showing the most interest in taking the early lead, and the Nakamura Stables entry shows the way into the opening turn. Running a length behind him is our eventual winner from South Shore Stables, Mickey. For the moment, he is just as clear in second place as Buffalo G is on the lead. Behind him, running side by side battling for third, we have Lets Do It Big Boy (RNP Stables) and Boardwalk Empire (Smokey Stover), and a three wide group consisting of Cascade King (Nakamura Stables), Ptyrannical (Arindel), and Silver Rocket (Crocker Ggs) is right on their heels. Only a length further back, it’s Penal Hockey Party (Maxmillion Party) and Pxg (Mb Stables), with King Que Niagra (D J C Racing Stables). Third to tenth right now are only separated by 2-3 lengths.
(1/2 Mile- :46.15)- Out front, Buffalo G is still clear of the competition and doesn’t have to worry about how close together things are in the middle of the pack. Mickey is right behind him still in second and is content to ride in that spot. He has some company now as Silver Rocket makes a push forward on the outside to move into third, and Boardwalk Empire is between horses in fourth. Pxg moves into the four wide position to take the fifth spot as Lets Do It Big Boy drops to sixth. That was not because he was losing ground, but simply because he held his line on the inside as more activity took place to his outside. Ptyrannical is within a half-length of him, while Cascade King drops back to be with Penal Hockey Party and King Que Niagra. Still, things are very tight in this pack right now.
(Top of Stretch, 1.7F To Go)- The intensity of the race picks up as the field moves around the final turn. Mickey decides it’s time to go and powers by Buffalo G to the outside, making it look quite easy. By the time they hit the top of the stretch, he’s taken the lead by about a length and a half. Buffalo G is still second for now but is about to lose that position to Lets Do It Bog Boy as the wily old veteran moves off the rail to advance his position. Behind these three, things fan out to be seven wide. The pack had been so close together, that there would be no other option for these horses, and it would be very interesting to see which one would emerge as the quickest in the dash to the finish. Boardwalk Empire had a nose in front with this group, but Penal Hockey Party had the best lane, potentially able squeeze between that one and Lets Do It Big Boy. Silver Rocket was still in contention, and Ptyrannical was looking to make a move well on the outside. In the middle of the track, because he had no choice, was King Que Niagra looking to make a bid. Cascade King opted not to move outside and to stay on the rail to see what might open up.
(Finish- 1:32.15)- With the lead in the stretch, Mickey was not about to let it go. He continued to maintain a strong side, never giving in and winning a little more comfortable than we could have expected. In an impressive fashion, Mickey scores the win almost by a full length. Let’s not allow him to be 14/1 again, please. Penal Hockey Party came on the quickest from the pack and wins the head bob in the photo for place over Lets Do It Big Boy. It would be close to two lengths to the rest of the field, with King Que Niagra getting fourth place purse monies with his effort from centerfield. It’s another length to Cascade King, with Ptyrannical, Buffalo G, Silver Rocket, Boardwalk Empire, and Pxg rounding it out.
About The Winner- Mickey, trained by South Shore Stables and ridden to victory by L Saez, is a four-year-old gelding by Proud Chai and is out of Fine Skeleton. He was bred in California by South Shore Stables as a second quarter two-year-old, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his ninth in 20 starts, and his seventh stake win, all of which are graded. Five of those are Grade 1’s. His career earnings are now $4,980.400.
Track: Firm
Time: :224 :46 1:092 1:32
$2 Mutuel Prices:
$1 Exacta: 7 – 2 Paid 83.80
$1 Trifecta: 7 – 2 – 3 Paid 1,382.90
Scratched: Aerialist, Free Blast(L)
— NS
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
