Wise Dan continued to prove that he's the best turf miler in North America, if not one of the best horses on any surface on the continent, with a dominating win in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland.
Silver Max broke well and set an uncontested lead through the first half mile but had no response when Dominus and Wise Dan rolled up beside him on the turn. At the top of the stretch, Wise Dan easily put away Dominus and then ran on to the wire under moderate urging by jockey Jose Lezcano. Wilcox Inn ran on well to finish second while longshot Slip and Drive finished third.
Following the race, trainer Charles Lopresti told TVG that he is leaning towards running Wise Dan in the Breeders' Cup Mile but won't rule out the Classic for his next start. If he enters the Mile, Wise Dan will be the heavy favorite (unless a horse like Frankel (GB) were to enter the race, which he won't).
Wise Dan is a five-year-old gelding by Wiseman's Ferry out of a Wolf Power (SAF) mare (Lisa Danielle), trained by Charles Lopresti and ridden by Jose Lezcano. He has won three straight graded stakes race and four graded races in 2012.
Below are the payouts for the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland.
WIN: 5-Wise Dan ($3.20, $2.40, $2.40)
PLACE: 4-Wilcox Inn ($23.60, $11.00)
SHOW: 8-Slip and Drive ($20.40)
$1.00 EXACTA: (5/4) $33.00
$0.50 TRIFECTA: (5/4/8) $481.95
$0.10 SUPERFECTA: (5/4/8/2) $560.66
$1.00 DAILY DOUBLE: (1/5) $20.50
$0.50 PICK 3: (2/1/5) $39.90 3-of-3
$0.50 PICK 4: (6/2/1/5) $67.20 4-of-4