Lord Miles outduels Hit Show, Dreamlike in 59-1 Wood Memorial stunner
Apr 09, 2023
Vegso Racing Stable’s homebred Lord Miles had flashed promise earlier on at Gulfstream Park, but his Kentucky Derby (G1) dreams appeared to be out of reach following unplaced efforts in two preps. All of that changed in Saturday’s $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct, where the 59-1 longshot ran the race of his life – and survived an inquiry and objection – in a hard-fought win over Hit Show and Dreamlike.
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. and ridden by Paco Lopez, Lord Miles was among the early stalkers. That group included the maiden Dreamlike as well as 1.70-1 favorite Hit Show, the Withers (G3) romper who was just a couple of lengths back in fifth.
As expected, Arctic Arrogance went to the lead, but the 25-1 Uncle Jake hustled up to apply pressure and actually put his head in front briefly. Arctic Arrogance shrugged him off nearing the far turn, but the stalkers were already on the march.
Dreamlike was the first to play his hand, and the Todd Pletcher pupil tackled the longtime leader swinging into the stretch. Lord Miles and Hit Show, moving in tandem, ranged alongside Dreamlike and a stubborn Arctic Arrogance in a four-way tussle. Arctic Arrogance ultimately tired in the final furlong, leaving the trio to slog it out to the wire.
The inexperienced Dreamlike, who was making only his third career start, drifted out a bit. That tightened up Hit Show, racing in between Dreamlike and Lord Miles, and the favorite was bounced around in a tough spot. Hit Show appeared to have a slim advantage at one point, but Lord Miles forced his nose down in front at the wire.
Given the contact in the protracted duel, the stewards posted the inquiry sign. Hit Show’s rider, Manny Franco, also claimed foul against Lopez on Lord Miles. After reviewing multiple video angles, the stewards ruled that the original order of finish should stand, with no change. Lord Miles finished 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.17 and returned $120.50.
'I was right in between those horses like a ping-pong ball,” Franco said of Hit Show’s passage. “They hit me on both sides. I don't know. He was there for me and right between horses. Those bumps, I don't know. I don't think he was comfortable with that.”
Lord Miles’s team saw it differently.
'The one (Dreamlike) came out,” Lopez said, “and Franco was looking for room, and so he bumped into my horse. My horse stayed in line all the time and stayed fighting for the line. It was a tight race.”
“I knew they got in tight,” Joseph said. “Watching the head-on (replay), I thought we were good, but you're dealing with opinion. You never want to be in that position, but I accepted that if something happened at least we would be second. But I didn't think there should be a change.”
Lord Miles earned 100 Kentucky Derby points to assure himself a spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs. Previously sixth in the Holy Bull (G3) and fifth in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) to Tapit Trice, who won Saturday’s Blue Grass (G1), Lord Miles has 105 points in all.
Hit Show’s near-miss was worth 40 points, increasing his total to 60. Dreamlike, another head away in third, picked up 30 points. There was a 5 1/4-length gap back to Arctic Arrogance in fourth (20 points), and he now has 36. Classic Catch checked in fifth (10 points).
Next came the troubled Slip Mahoney, who lost his chance when jostled badly and checked into the clubhouse turn; Shadow Dragon; Knox; Crupi; General Banker; Mr. Swagger; and Uncle Jake. Clear the Air was scratched in favor of the Blue Grass, where he trailed after setting the pace.
Lord Miles has bankrolled $451,100 from his 5-2-0-1 line. The son of Hall of Famer Curlin won at first asking at Gulfstream on Nov. 19, sweeping from off the pace to dominate a six-furlong maiden. He was a promising third in his stakes debut in the Jan. 1 Mucho Macho Man S., only to disappoint in the Holy Bull and run evenly in the Tampa Bay Derby.
Lopez commented that he learned something from the Tampa experience to apply in the Wood.
“I know at Tampa he didn’t give me a very good race the first time I rode him,” Lopez said. “This time, I knew I had a chance. I didn’t have too much time to jog and gallop him. This time I had plenty of time and that helped me a lot today and it worked out very well today. He gave me a beautiful run today.”
The Kentucky-bred Lord Miles is out of the Majestic Warrior mare Lady Esme, who is a half-sister to champion Caledonia Road and multiple Grade 3 hero Officiating. This is the further family of Grade 1 winners Hymn Book and Data Link.
Joseph was delighted that Lord Miles is fulfilling his early promise.
'God is good,” the trainer said. “From the top of the stretch when I realized he had a chance to get a piece of it, I was just thankful. At the eighth pole, I was thinking go get second and then -- wait a minute -- and there it was. He was a horse we thought a lot of and he showed up today when it counted most…
“I learned in life to never stop taking chances. If the horse is doing good, take a chance, because each chance you don't take is a chance you miss.”
Now Lord Miles will get his chance in the Kentucky Derby.
FOLLOW FOR UPDATES AND EXCLUSIVES
Missed something? Catch up on past Kentucky Derby news
