Longshot Wizard of Westwood would've made his namesake proud as he relaxed and controlled Sunday's $100,000 Singletary Stakes but just missed as favored Mi Hermano Ramon was able to get up and win by head under Umberto Rispoli.
Trained by Mark Glatt, Mi Hermano Ramon got 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.70.
Although he bobbled slightly leaving the gate, Wizard of Westwood was quickly in control under Abel Cedillo through fractions of :23.96, :49.05, 1:13.17, and 1:37.21 and he enjoyed a one length edge a furlong from home over a group of four pursuers.
Allowed to idle midway around the turn, Mi Hermano Ramon, under confident handling, found himself fifth, with about 3½ lengths to make up turning for home with modest fractions to overcome.
“He is obviously a really good horse and if you look back at his race at Keeneland…Webslinger (third in the Grade 3 Transylvania going 1 1/16 miles on turf at April 7 at the Lexington track) came back and won at a big price Saturday at Churchill Downs (Grade 2 American Turf),” said Ryan Glatt, assistant to his father, Mark. “…If you really look at the form, you can pick this horse out. It was a slow pace today, but he got the job done.”
Fourth, beaten three lengths in the Transylvania, Mi Hermano Ramon was off at 3-2 in a field of six 3-year-olds and paid $5 for the win.
Bred in Kentucky by Red Baron's Barn, Mi Hemano Ramon is a chestnut gelding by Creative Cause out of the Suances mare Sassy Suances. Owned by his breeder along with Rancho Temescal and raced exclusively on turf in all five of his starts, Mi Hermano Ramon posted his first stakes win and his third overall victory. With the winner's share of $60,000, he increased his earnings to $169,700.
“I was surprised a little bit when Game Time (one of three Michael McCarthy trainees and the eventual fourth place finisher) took back today,” said Rispoli, who was aboard for the first time. “…I had a ton of horse underneath me and I was just trying to put him in the clear. Credit to the barn, to Mark and everybody.”
In a gallant effort, Wizard of Westwood, off at 7-1 finished a half length better than his stablemate Escape Artist.
Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Escape Artist finished three-quarters of a length in front of Game Time, who was the second choice in the race at 2-1 with Juan Hernandez.
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