Race Recaps Mo Forza Nails Smooth Like Strait Again, Defends City Of Hope Mile Title October 2, 2021 Credit: Ernie Belmonte Race Recaps Mo Forza Nails Smooth Like Strait Again, Defends City Of Hope Mile Title October 2, 2021 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article ARCADIA, CA – For the second straight race, Mo Forza nailed a too-good-to-lose Smooth Like Strait in the shadow of the wire to defend his title in Saturday’s $200,000 City of Hope Mile Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. CASH IN BIG AT THE BREEDERS’ CUP! Did you know active subscribers receive our Betting Bibles absolutely FREE? Subscribe today and be the first to receive our upcoming MONSTER 2023 Breeders’ Cup Betting Bible! Get Racing Dudes Premium Mo Forza broke from post 2 under Flavien Prat as the 3/5 favorite in the field of five and was the only runner to not challenge for the early pace. Jockey Umberto Rispoli guided Smooth Like Strait to the front from the far outside post as the field entered the clubhouse turn, then posted opening fractions of :22.61 and :46.66. Pressing runner Red Storm Risen cranked up the heat halfway home, passing Smooth Like Strait for the lead heading into the far turn and forcing that rival to speed up. Prat tipped Mo Forza out at the top of the stretch, and the bettors’ choice initially appeared to struggle to find his best footing while refusing to change leads. Despite the errant running style, however, the Peter Miller trainee was able to grind his way up to take the lead 3 jumps from the wire, then crossed a 1/2-length the winner in 1:32.45 for the firm turf route. “It was a bit of an awkward race,” Prat said. “First 1/4 was pretty fast, then we hit the first turn and slowed down a lot, then we got to the backside and took off again. After that, they all came up to me around the far turn. I was trying to get him together, to regroup and get a good run down the lane, and that’s what he did. He showed a lot of class today.” Smooth Like Strait held off Grade 1 winner Hit the Road by a head for second. Further back came Red Storm Risen and Order and Law to complete the order of finish. Mo Forza’s win was his fourth straight dating back to last year’s Del Mar Mile (G2) and City of Hope Mile, his final 2 starts before injuries kept him from the track until his Del Mar Mile title defense in late August. The 5-year-old son of Uncle Mo improved his overall record to 14-8-3-1 and became racing’s newest millionaire with now $1,034,460 earned for co-owners Bardy Farm (who also bred him) and OG Boss. “I was very worried the first minute and 30 seconds; I felt a lot better the last 2 1/2 seconds,” said Miller, who celebrated his birthday Saturday. “I left the plans in Flavien’s hands. It is up to him. He knows the horse. If the pace is fast, he’ll lay back. If it’s a moderate pace, we’ll be up close. Our next stop is the Breeders’ Cup.” Mo Forza returned $3.20 to win, $2.20 to place, and $2.10 to show. Smooth Like Strait brought back $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Hit the Road paid $2.10 to show.
2024 Kentucky Derby Horse Profiles – How Each Horse Can Win | Blinkers Off 662 The Racing Dudes take a look at the contenders of… Read More
Keeneland Pick 5 | The Magic Mike Show 542 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
NBA & NHL Playoff Previews & Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 188 Aaron and Papa Dude discuss OJ Simpson, UConn’s national championship… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Top 10 & Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 661 The Racing Dudes reveal their Top 10 Kentucky Derby prospects… Read More
Keeneland Pick 5 [Lexington Stakes Day] | The Magic Mike Show 541 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2024 Latest News & Top Contenders | It’s The Final Countdown Aaron discusses the latest 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) news, then… Read More
Fierceness | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Fierceness, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky Derby… Read More
Sierra Leone | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Sierra Leone, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More
Catching Freedom | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Catching Freedom, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More
Forever Young | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Forever Young, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More