February 5, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Mystik Man
There’s no mistaking Mystik Dan after an otherworldly eight-length triumph in this past Saturday’s $800,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park.
Neither sloppy track conditions nor a deep field of 10 rivals could slow down the 3-year-old colt, who stunned the crowd to capture his first ever graded stakes score at 11-1.
Running to consecutive fifth-place finishes in two lower-level competitions leading up to the 1 1/16-mile tilt, Mystik Dan truly came out of nowhere on Saturday afternoon.
The career-defining win returned a healthy $24.80
Devilishly Good
It’s only fitting that the $260,000 Holy Bull (G3) went to a 3-year-old gelding named Hades.
The Paco Lopez mount, like the rest of the field, seemingly stood no chance against reigning Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) champion and 1-5 choice Fierceness. However, the presumptive lock couldn’t handle the heat brought by Hades and Lopez.
Written off at 9-1, the duo broke out to an early lead before surrendering it briefly at the three-quarter turn, eventually regaining control down the stretch for a two-length victory.
The first graded win of Hades’ career pushed his record to a perfect 3-0-0 in as many starts. He paid $20.40.
Delightful Duo
The theme of favorites not living up to their closing line billing continued at Santa Anita in the $101,000 Thunder Road Stakes.
Tio Magico, the 8-5 choice, was just one of several competitors outdueled by the 5-1 team of Goliad and rider Kazushi Kimura. The duo first climbed to the front of the pack at the quarter-pole mark and never looked back en route to a three-length clearance.
Now a perfect 2-for-2 together, Goliad’s first graded title pushed his overall line to 4-4-1 through 16 starts.
The dominant display returned $12.80.
Business Trip
Pennsylvania powerhouse Uncle Heavy travelled outside The Keystone State for the first time this past Saturday, and the move paid off handsomely.
At 9-1, the 3-year-old rallied late to slide ahead of experienced runner El Grande O to take the $250,000 Withers Stakes by a nose for career graded stakes win number one.
Before making his out-of-state debut at Aqueduct, Uncle Heavy had gone 2-0-0 in three starts at Parx Racing, with his last run on home turf (or dirt) resulting in a Wait For It Stakes victory.
The surging colt paid $20.60 for the Withers win.
Going for Thirds
Rider Flavien Prat is no stranger to winning, after all, he does have 1,659 to his name, but taking home three graded stakes in the same day still must feel pretty good.
The multiple graded stakes-winning pilot dominated Santa Anita’s Saturday card, winning the $200,000 Santa Monica (G2) with Three Witches (8-5), $200,000 Robert B. Lewis (G3) atop Nysos (1-9), and $100,000 Megahertz (G3) with Bellabel (IRE) at 9-5.
For those thinking this isn’t all that impressive because all three mounts were heavy favorites, may we remind you of what happened in the four races above?
Taking Prat in each graded contest on a single $2 win bet would have netted $5.20, $2.20, and $5.80, respectively.
*Note: Santa Anita’s Sunday card was cancelled due to inclement weather.
