The Scherr Boys' Necker Island found an opening along the rail at the head of the lane and nailed pacesetter Yes I Am Free just before the wire to win Sunday's $225,000 Mighty Beau Stakes (Listed) at Ellis Park.
Ridden by Mitchell Murrill and trained by Chris Hartman, Necker Island covered 5½ furlongs on dirt in 1:03.64. The Mighty Beau Stakes was taken off the turf when officials from Ellis Park discovered a broken sprinkler head just prior to Sunday's first race. Officials determined the course would not dry out in time for the Mighty Beau opted to move the race to the main track.
Florida-based Yes I Am Free set the early fractions in the Mighty Beau under jockey Emisael Jaramillo. The duo completed the opening quarter mile in :23.09 while Necker Island sat in third, just inside Charcoal. At the head of the lane, Murrill found an opening at the rail and began to ask Necker Island for his best stride. Necker Island was able to collar Yes I Am Free just before the wire for a neck victory
Necker Island was sent to post as the 9-5 second choice and returned $5.74 for the win.
The Mighty Beau was Necker Island's eighth-career victory from 34 starts. His victory in the Mighty Beau boosted his career earnings to $996,357.
Necker Island is a 6-year-old son of Hard Spun out of the Mr. Greeley mare Jenny's Rocket. He was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings.
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