Anothertwistafate Rolls in Longacres Mile Handicap
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Photo: Reed Palmer Photography
Anothertwistafate wins the Longacres Mile under the lights at Emerald Downs
Anothertwistafate made a triumphant return to action Sept. 10 at Emerald Downs, returning from a 16-month layoff and powering to a 4 1/2-length victory over Five Star General in the 85th running of the $100,000 Longacres Mile Handicap (G3).
Ridden by Juan Gutierrez at 118 pounds, Anothertwistafate ran the mile in 1:34.10 and paid $4.40 as the betting favorite. Blaine Wright trains for owner Peter Redekop of Vancouver, B.C.
It is the first Mile victory for Wright and Redekop—runner-up the last two years with Alert Bay and Anyportinastorm—and third Mile victory for Gutierrez, who is just 13 wins from tying Gallyn Mitchell's all-time track record of 1,419 wins, according to track publicity.
Stalking early fractions of :22.71, :45.21, and 1:08.74 set by Papa's Golden Boy, Anothertwistafate took command three deep into the stretch and drew off to win with authority. It was the colt's first start since a 10th in the 2019 Preakness Stakes (G1), though he was well prepared by Wright, who had him fit off a series of works at Golden Gate Fields.
"The first thing is to congratulate Mr. Peter Redekop and my entire crew here and at Golden Gate," Wright said. "A lot of people have asked me if this is the best horse I've trained, and he's been hot and cold with some health issues, but he's a very nice horse."
Wright also praised Gutierrez who previously won the Mile on No Giveaway in 2005 and The Great Face in 2007.
"The race worked out just the way we scripted it this morning, Juan (Gutierrez) did a great job." Wright said. "When we couldn't bring our rider (to Emerald Downs) there was no hesitation to ride Juan. He rode his 2,000th winner this year and is a great speed rider on this track. He fit this horse perfectly."
A Kentucky-bred by Scat Daddy, Anothertwistafate earned $55,000 to push his career earnings to $358,505. His overall mark is 4-2-0 in eight starts, including a victory in the El Camino Real Derby and seconds last year in the Sunland Derby (G3) and Keeneland's Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3).
Canadian shipper Five Star General, ridden by Mario Gutierrez at 122 pounds, finished a clear second and was followed by The Press, a 46-1 longshot in third.
Elliott Bay, winner of the Mt. Rainier Stakes last month, rallied from last to finish fourth and was followed by Papa's Golden Boy, Makah Lane, La Waun, Hollywood Heat, and Take Charge Deputy.
A Kentucky-bred by out of the First Defense mare Imprecation, Anothertwistafate was a $360,000 purchase by Alistair Roden Bloodstock from Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables consignment to the 2018 Ocala Breeders' Sales June 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale. He is one of two black-type horses from his dam, the other being Ajourneytofreedom, who finished second in the Alcatraz Stakes at Golden Gate in June for Redekop and Wright.