Sahara Sky Nips Cross Traffic at the Wire to Win Met Mile

After setting every fraction, and torrid ones that at that, Cross Traffic lost the Met Mile in the last stride to a fast closing Sahara Sky. Cross Traffic, with post time odds of 5/2, went 22.40 and 44.88 but still managed to lead up through the last jump. A heartbreaking loss by a fraction of a nose by a speed horse that put in an incredible effort to hold off most comers.

Sent off as the 7/2 third choice, Sahara Sky sat last through the first half mile, basically 500 lengths off the lead. As Cross Traffic, Handsome Mike, and Fort Loudon battled for the lead, favorite Flat Out was only beating Sahara Sky until a half mile out. As those that stalked the pace began to make their moves, it looked like my three picks, Sahara Sky, Flat Out, and Swagger Jack were in a great position to make a run at it. But Swagger Jack checked at the 1/4 pole and Flat Out just did not fire. This is Flat Out's first loss at Belmont.

But give credit where credit is due as Cross Traffic put in a tremendous effort. In fact, my post race handicapping notes only say "HUGE RUN". But Sahara Sky took advantage of a hot pace to win the 2013 Met Mile in a fashion that would make Shackleford at Caleb's Posse proud.

Payouts:

Prgm Horse Win Place Show

7 Sahara Sky 11.60 6.00 3.80

1 Cross Traffic 5.10 3.40

8 Flat Out 2.80

Bet Payout

$2 7-1 EX 77.00

$2 7-1-6 TRI 189.00