Long On Value Back on Top in Canadian Turf
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Long On Value returned to his winning ways with a closing victory in the $150,000 Canadian Turf Stakes (gr. IIIT) Feb. 21 at Gulfstream Park .
After back-to-back wins in the Mystic Lake Derby at Canterbury Park and the Twilight Derby (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Park, the 4-year-old colt owned by Wachtel Stable and George Kerr finished seventh in the Mathis Brothers Mile Stakes (gr. IIT), but bounced back to win the mile race Saturday in 1:34.26 over Gulfstream's firm turf course.
A Virginia-bred son of Value Plus, Long On Value rallied from eighth place to win comfortably by 1 3/4 lengths over fellow closer Grand Tito. Aripeka also rallied for third, a neck behind.
Carrying highweight of 123 pounds with jockey Joel Rosario in the irons, Long On Value went off at 10-1, broke from post 11 and sat 6 1/2 lengths back in eighth place when early leader Sliver Freak opened up the first quarter in :23.92.
"We wanted him to drop the bridle and relax the first part," trainer Bill Mott said. "We were hoping to save some ground. We had a horrible post in the 11 hole. He was able to drop in. He was maybe two or three wide around the first turn. It didn't turn out as bad as it could have been from that post."
Silver Freak continued to lead and covered the half in :47.70 and six furlongs in 1:11.19 before Long On Value took the lead in the stretch with an outside trip through the final turn.
"I had a good trip," Rosario said. "I broke and (Mott) told me to drop him and take a little bit of time with him, and just come for a late run."
Long On Value paid $23.40, $10.20, and $7.20. Grand Tito returned $5.00 and $4.20, and Aripeka delivered $7.40 to show. With 2-1 favorite Jack Milton in fourth, the $2 exacta paid $127.60 and the $1 trifecta returned $577.40. Excaper, Mr. Online, Sky Blazer, Guys Reward, Silver Freak, Smooth Daddy,Mutin, Best Plan Yet and Adirondack King completed the order of finish.
Bred by Snow Lantern Thoroughbreds out of Orientate mare Long Message, Long On Value increased his career earnings to $504,198 with the $85,560 winner's share and improved his record to 6-2-1 in 15 starts. He was a $3,000 yearling from the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2012 Eastern fall yearling sale when purchased by Patrick Morrell, agent for Richard Hessee, from the consignment of Harry L. Landry Bloodstock, agent.