Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan showed no signs of slowing down as a 7-year-old Friday, beating the late-charging Kaigun by three-quarters of a length in the Grade 1, $300,000 Maker's 46 Mile at Keeneland.
It was the first start of the year for the gelding, a six-time Eclipse Award winner who was coming off a win in the Breeders' Cup Mile on Nov. 2.
Wise Dan, trained by Charlie LoPresti and owned by Morton Fink, raced to his sixth graded stakes win at Keeneland with his 20th victory in 28 career starts.
Wise Dan won after missing training time because of bad weather while preparing for the race.
"I was worried about it just because of the winter and how much training time we lost," LoPresti said. "I told (jockey) Johnny Velazquez going into the race that, 'I just don't have him as tight as I need to, but just give him an easy race, and if he's good enough to win, just do the best you can to save him for the next one.'"
Wise Dan tracked the pace before making his move in tandem with Lochte as the six-horse field headed into the stretch.
"This horse is incredible," Velazquez said. "They don't come around that often."
Wise Dan ran a mile on the firm turf in 1:34.91 and paid $2.80, $2.40 and $2.10. Kaigun returned $12.40 and $5.40, and Lochte paid $2.80 to show.
LoPresti said the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on May 3 at Churchill Downs is the next likely start for Wise Dan.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
