Slip Mahoney, the runner-up in the $300,000 Gotham (G3) in March and $250,000 St. Louis Derby four weeks ago, collected his first stakes victory in Saturday night's third running of the $300,000 Bourbon Trail for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs when he collared Big Data inside the final 50 yards to win by a neck.
Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Gerardo Corrales, Slip Mahoney covered the 1 3/16 miles on a fast track in 1:56.66.
Manciata d'Oro and Oscar Eclipse set the pace in the marathon for six 3-year-olds through fractions of :23.63, :48.04 and 1:12.63 as Big Data tracked in the clear from the outside and Slip Mahoney tucked into a ground-saving trip along the rail in fourth. Into the final turn, Big Data was the first to move and left the bend in front of Oscar Eclipse, but Slip Mahoney tipped out at the top of the stretch and continue to wear down those two throughout the stretch with a three-wide determined move.
“He kept fighting hard the entire stretch,” Corrales said. “I'm very proud of him.”
The victory was worth $183,450 for owner Al Gold's Gold Square LLC and increased Slip Mahoney's earnings to $450,300 with a record of 3-3-0 in nine starts.
“We're really proud of his effort tonight,” said Trace Messina, assistant to Cox. “He really fought hard the entire way down the lane and Gerardo really timed it well tonight. We knew a couple of horses may show some tactical speed in this race. It worked out well for us with this horse's style.”
Slip Mahoney is a Kentucky-bred son of Arrogate out of the A.P. Indy mare Got Lucky and was bred by Hill 'N' Dale Equine Holdings Inc. and Philip J. Steinberg.
Slip Mahoney returned $6.76, $3.78 and $2.48 as the 2-1 favorite. Big Data, under Emisael Jaramillo at odds of 5-2, returned $3.94 and $2.62. Oscar Eclipse, with Cristian Torres up, was another 3 ¼ lengths back in third and paid $2.62 to show at 2-1.
It was another 3 ½ lengths back to Denington, who was followed in order by Manciata d'Oro and Shirl's Bee. Lincoln Highway was scratched.
The Bourbon Trail honors the profound history and proud tradition of “America's Official Native Spirit” when the Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA) established the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 1999, a road trip-style experience for bourbon lovers to visit the Bluegrass State's signature distilleries.
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