LOUISVILLE, KY – Allied Racing Stable’s Mr. Money took command off of the far turn and drew off like a rocket, scorching away in the stretch to impressively win Saturday’s $150,000 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Breaking from post 6 under Gabriel Saez as the 3/5 favorite, Mr. Money settled two-wide just behind early leader Knicks Go through opening fractions of :24.19, :47.80, and 1:11.35. Heading into the far turn, Mr. Money began inching steadily toward the pacesetter, and by the top of the stretch, he had his nose poked in front.
Set down for the drive to the wire, Mr. Money turned on the jets and left the field in his dust. The Bret Calhoun trainee crossed with a 6 1/2-length advantage in a final time fo 1:42.28 for the 1 1/16-mile event over the fast main track.
“That was about as easy as you can do it,” Saez said. “This horse has been so impressive all along, and Bret and his team’s hard work is paying off. I’m so thankful to Bred and Chester (Thomas of Allied Racing Stable) for letting me ride this horse. The 1 1/16-mile distance was a little test tonight. He certainly proved he can do it.”
Though no match for the winner, Signalman was able to grind out second in the stretch, improving his local record to 4-1-2-1. Proverb couldn’t keep pace after tracking the early pace from along Mr. Money’s inside but still held third by 3/4 of a length over Armistice Day. Knicks Go weakened steadily in the stretch before finishing fifth ahead of Limonite and Nolo Contesto, who completed the order of finish.
Mr. Money’s win was his second straight, having taken the Pat Day Mile Stakes (G3) here on May 4 over a pair of next-out winners in Hog Creek Hustle and Instagrand. The 3-year-old son of Goldencents improved his career record to 8-3-2-0 with $491,220 earned.
“The way this horse was training after the Pat Day Mile, we had an idea he’d run a big race,” Calhoun said. “Gabe rode him perfectly tonight and he’s proving his talent, that’s for sure.”
Mr. Money returned $3.20 to win, $2.40 to place, and $2.20 to show. Signalman brought back $4 to place and $2.60 to show, while Proverb paid $3.60 to show.
