Dual horse of the year Wise Dan (Charlie LoPresti/John Velazquez) took his Grade 1 tally into double figures in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic - but not without a struggle at Churchill Downs on Saturday night.
The seven-year-old gelding was pushed to the line by former John Gosden-trained Seek Again, who was beaten just a head by the 1-2 favourite in the $500,000 contest.
Conceding a few pounds to his rivals, Wise Dan was shuffled back early and then appeared to resent John Velazquez's attempts to keep him off the pace set by Bright Thought. "I had to really fight him," said the jockey. "I didn't want to do that because he threw his head up but I had no choice."
Wise Dan made his move three wide on the far turn, only for Hollywood Derby winner Seek Again, now trained by Bill Mott, to launch a determined late bid on the rail that only just failed to match the Breeders' Cup Mile victor, who got home for his 21st career victory in 29 starts.
Wise Dan, who scored with rather less fuss in 2013, has now won 15 of his 17 starts since October 2011, being narrowly beaten into second on the other two occasions, neither in races on grass.
"The way he has trained and the way he's done, I would say, at this point in time, he's better than he was last year," said trainer Charlie LoPresti. "This was a little bit stiffer group of horses."
Also on Saturday
Churchill Downs: Humana Distaff (Grade 1) 7f, dirt, 4yo+ f/m
Having won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday with Untapable, Rosie Napravnik landed another Grade 1 event as Midnight Lucky (Bob Baffert) made light of an 11-month absence with an easy win. Making her first appearance since a runaway victory in last year's Acorn Stakes, the 8-5 chance rolled home by 4½ lengths over Street Girl after making all.
"She's a great filly, a great filly," said Baffert. "I wasn't concerned about putting her in a race like this off the layoff. I know she can run on, but I'm going to keep her under a mile. That's where she's really good.
"I don't know what I'll do with her next, but the aim is to have her ready for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint," Baffert added. "Going a mile or less, this filly is as good as any I have ever had."
Churchill Downs: Churchill Downs Stakes (Grade 2) 7f, dirt, 4yo+
Central Banker (Al Stall/Corey Nakatani) recorded a 10-1 upset from off the pace in this $400,000 contest, sitting three wide before collaring the leader Delauney at the head of the stretch and then hold Shakin It Up in 1m21.15s. The favourite Sahara Sky was unplaced, not seeming to appreciate the Churchill surface.
