Sir Anthony Delivers Major Gift in G3 Harlan’s Holiday

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Richard Otto Stables’ homebred Sir Anthony delivered a major gift to those wise enough to support him on Saturday when he pulled off a 25/1 upset over the heavily-backed Audible to take home the Grade 3, $100,000 Harlan’s Holiday Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Breaking from post 6 under Brian Hernandez, Jr., Sir Anthony quickly took back and cut over to the rail to avoid being stuck wide in the first turn. Meanwhile, the Loooch Racing Stables-owned pair of Sightforsoreeyes and Minute Madness posted opening fractions of :25.19, :49.80, and 1:13.50. Still saving ground in last heading into the far turn, Sir Anthony found a golden road along the rail and burst through while the 1/9-favored Audible was forced to run four-wide. Continuing to run strongly along the inside, the Illinois-bred and based Sir Anthony held sway in the shadow of the wire to defeat the bettors’ choice by a 1/2-length in a final time of 1:45.14 for the 8 1/2-furlong event over the sloppy (sealed) main track.

“We had a great trip,” said Hernandez, Jr. “We were able to work our way to the fence from the 6-hole. I watched a few replays of this horse, and over at Hawthorne, they went slow the first 3/4 in a couple of his races and he was still able to close into them and run them down. Today, I just kind of rode him like that. I figured if I got to the 3/8 pole in good shape, he’d punch home, and he did. My horse is an old pro and he’s shown that he doesn’t mind being (inside). All the pressure was on Audible and we were just going to hopefully sneak up on him, and we were able to save all the ground and get through.”

A length behind the top pair was a tight photo for third, with Apostle given the edge by a neck over Village King. The early pace-setters faltered in the far turn and faded to the rear, with Sightforsoreeyes outlasting only Minute Madness to complete the order of finish.

Sir Anthony’s win was his first career attempt in a graded stakes event and was his fourth straight score overall, following an 0-for-5 start to 2018. The 3-year-old ridgling son of Mineshaft now carries an overall record of 14-5-2-2 with earnings of $202,220.

“He’s been a promising young colt who took a while to figure it out, but now that he’s figured it out, who knows where we go from here,” said winning trainer Anthony Mitchell. “Looking at (the race), he was going well within himself. He’s kind of not a lazy horse but a relaxed horse, but when you ask him, he’ll find it. Mentally, he’s really come around and starting to prove the type of individual he is. Watching the race, I was comfortable, but then going into the turn, I was very comfortable. I thought, ‘We’re going to have a horse race here,’ and that’s what it was, and Brian did a hell of a job, a superb ride.”

Sir Anthony returned $53.80 to win, $6 to place, and $4.40 to show. Audible brought back $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show, while Apostle paid $3.40 to show.