ARCADIA, CA – Trainer Dan Black saddled his first Grade 1 winner when Hit the Road gamely drove up the rail late to win Saturday’s $400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes at Santa Anita Park.
Hit the Road broke from post 2 under new jockey Florent Geroux (who inherited the mount after Umberto Rispoli opted to ride the 5/2 favorite Smooth Like Strait) and settled into a ground-saving trip behind Smooth Like Strait and early leader Flying Scotsman.
After opening fractions of :23.17, :47.32, and 1:11.28, Flying Scotsman gave way along the rail, giving the lead over to Smooth Like Strait at the top of the stretch.
Hit the Road found a seam between Smooth Like Strait and the fading Flying Scotsman, then shot to the rail and took command halfway home.
Holding sway in the late stages, Hit the Road crossed a neck clear while completing the firm turf mile in 1:34.48.
“It was all heart,” Geroux said. “Sometimes when you have to go through a tight spot, the horse doesnāt necessarily cooperate, but he did great and did everything I asked him to. I couldnāt be any prouder of the horse and Dan and his team for his first Grade 1. They worked very hard to get to this point and Iām very happy for them. I liked my horse and (Smooth Like Strait), and I thought it was going to be very tough between those two. I was able to follow him all the way around and got through on the inside.”
Smooth Like Strait was a neck in front of Count Again, who rallied from last to take third by a 1/2-length over Flavius.
Royal Ship, Casa Creed, Ride a Comet, Spirit Animal, Flying Scotsman, and Social Paranoia completed the order of finish.
Hit the Road’s win was his fourth straight, beginning with a local optional claiming event here last May and continuing in the Oceanside Stakes and the Thunder Road Stakes (G3). The 4-year-old More Than Ready colt’s record now stands at 9-6-0-0 with $494,751 earned for co-owners D K Racing, Radley Equine, Taste of Victory Stables, Rick Gold, Tony Maslowski, and Dave Odmark.
“I gave myself 10 years to win a Grade 1, and luckily, we got it done in year,” Blacker said “I donāt want to make this about me. Itās all about the horse, heās such a professional animal, he is a true racehorse. He was born that way, heās just a true athlete and so mentally focused on racing. I just feel so fortunate to have him and with him a great group of owners like Rick and Jim. Being with me for such a long time, theyāve been so patient, and I just really thrill for them all to get a win like this.”
Hit the Road returned $10.40 to win, $5.40 to place, and $4.20 to show. Smooth Like Strait brought back $4.40 to place and $3.40 to show. Count Again paid $6.60 to show.
