ARCADIA, CA – Bardy Farm and OG Boss’ Mo Forza continued his west coast turf dominance yet again with an impressive score in Saturday’s $200,000 City of Hope Mile Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park.
Mo Forza was the heavy 3/5 favorite as he broke from post 7 under Flavien Prat and settled into fifth, running one lane off the rail.
Blitzkrieg established an uncontested lead and posted quick opening fractions of :22.58, :45.61, and 1:08.76 while Bob and Jackie gave closest watch.
Still in fifth as he rounded the far turn, Mo Forza tipped out at the top of the stretch and commenced a strong, sustained rally in the stretch.
Grabbing the lead at the 1/8 pole, the Peter Miller trainee drew off under confident handling to win by 1 3/4 lengths while completing the firm turf route in 1:32.09.
Credit: Ernie Belmonte
“I think he’s getting more and more professional which is great,” Prat said. “Today, he showed up again.”
The 2018 race champion Sharp Samurai finished second for the third consecutive start, while Bob and Jackie headed Blitzkrieg for third in a battle of fading pacesetters.
Majestic Eagle, Royal Ship, and Restrainedvengence completed the order of finish.
Mo Forza’s win was his second straight following August’s Del Mar Mile Handicap (G2), itself coming after a seven-month break. The 4-year-old Uncle Mo colt improved his record to 12-6-3-1 with $734,460 earned and will likely aim for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) for his next start.
“That’s him; he showed that in his race at Del Mar,” said assistant trainer Ruben Alvarado. “He relaxes early and then you saw the way he finished up. He ran today just like he did at Del Mar. We’re very happy and we’re looking forward to the Breeders’ Cup.”
Mo Forza returned $3.20 to win, $2.20 to place, and $2.10 to show. Sharp Samurai brought back $3 to place and $2.60 to show, while Bob and Jackie paid $5.60 to show.
