Last of 12 2-year-olds heading into the final turn, Can Group unleashed a furious outside rally down the stretch to prevail by the slimmest of margins in a 27-1 upset in the $350,000 Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes (G2) Sunday at Keeneland.
With Francisco Arrieta riding for trainer Mark Casse, the Good Samaritan colt pipped Noted by a nose 1 1/16-mile turf contest. He returned $56.34 for the win.
Vote No finished third, a length behind Noted, while favorite First World War was another half-length back in fourth.
“He was (last going into the final turn),” said Arrieta, who who not only picked up his first Keeneland stakes victory but his first Grade 2 victory.. “When I moved and he saw the leaders, he just took off and, wow, it was amazing. I felt like I crossed the wire in front. He was rolling. I won with him at Kentucky Downs (maiden special weight Sept. 2) and he came from off the pace very nice, slow, so today I planned the same. Relax, give him time, and make one move, and he showed up.”
The Bourbon is a Breeders' Cup Challenge “Win and You're In” qualifier for the $1-million Prevagen Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), and Can Group earned a free berth in the 1 1/16-mile race Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.
Can Group's victory marked the fifth win in the race for Casse, who previously won with Airoforce (2015), Keep Quiet (FR) (2016), Flameaway (2017), and Peace Achieved (2019).
Fortune Seller led the field early while being tracked by Double Your Money with Noted and favored First World War heading up the second flight. The top two positions did not change going into the far turn, but things changed quickly in the upper stretch when the pack closed in.
Vote No emerged with the lead passing the eighth pole, while behind him Noted was being shuffled back and Can Group began his clear run between horses. Noted found racing room about 50 yards from the wire to hit the front only to be caught in the final jump by Can Group.
D.J. Stable LLC and Cash Is King campaign Can Group, who has won half his four starts. The $98,013 winner's share of the Bourbon purse increased his lifetime purse earnings to $307,013.
Bred in Kentucky by Wynnstay Inc. and H. Allen Poindexter, Can Group is out of the Street Sense mare Blue Gallina. D J Stable paid $100,000 for him at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale, where Wynnstay Sales consigned him.
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