Scalding grabbed command off the home turn, opened a commanding lead in the stretch, then held back fast-closing Dynamic One to capture the $300,000 Ben Ali Stakes (G3) Saturday at Keeneland.
A 4-year-old son of Nyquist, Scalding won by 1 ¼ lengths with Javier Castellano aboard and covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.30 on a track rated as fast. He earned a fourth consecutive win after tallying three straight in Florida for trainer Shug McGaughey.
Proxy finished 1 ¾ lengths behind Dynamic One, who rallied resolutely from last in the seven-horse field, but could not get to the winner. Favorite Warrant checked in fourth.
Castellano had Scalding ideally positioned close to the early pace in the three path in fourth, then fifth, as Mighty Heart sprinted to the lead and laid down the opening quarter mile in :23.72. Cowboy Diplomacy took charge through a half mile in :47.71 before Mighty Heart put his head back in front as six furlongs went in 1:12.54 and Scalding advanced into striking position.
On Castellano's cue, Scalding put away the front-runners in early stretch and opened up a convincing lead, then easily held off the runner-up.
“I like the way my horse did it today,” Castellano said. “He broke not too sharp, but (he put me in) the place to keep track of those two horses in the lead, and he made a little sweeping move. I liked the way he finished. I really like the horse. I followed this horse since he started. (Trainer) Shug (McGaughey) did a really good job, and I thank Shug and all the owners for the opportunity to ride the horse. I'm glad we got it done today.”
Irad Ortiz Jr. said he had a great trip aboard Dynamic One.
“I had a decent pace in front of me,” he said. “He did everything right. I kind of waited a little longer than I wanted to. It was a good effort.”
Scalding, who returned $12, came into the Ben Ali off a breakthrough stakes win in the Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.
Owned by Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stable, and LNJ Foxwoods, Scalding improved to 4-1-0 from six career starts while boosting his lifetime bankroll to $306,150.
Bred by Godolphin and Cobalt Investments, Scalding is out of the Medaglia d'Oro mare Hot Water.
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