Mo Forza Repeats in City of Hope Mile

Bardy Farm and OG Boss' Mo Forza  came with a strong rally to run down Smooth Like Strait  and capture the $200,000 City of Hope Mile Stakes (G2T) for the second straight year Oct. 2 at Santa Anita Park. It was the fourth consecutive graded win for the 5-year-old son of Uncle Mo  —all under Flavien Prat—and his second since returning from a layoff of more than 10 months in August.

The timing of the win was special for the connections. Longtime horseman Barry Abrams of Bardy Farm, who also bred Mo Forza, died last October.

"This horse is continuing Barry's legacy. He means the world to us," said brother David Abrams. "He runs with an angel on his shoulder, I truly believe that. Look at his last two races, that's Barry bringing him home."

The specialties continued, as trainer Peter Miller celebrated his 55th birthday Saturday. 

"I was very worried the first minute and 30 seconds. I felt a lot better the last two and a half seconds," Miller said. "The pace was quick in the early going, then it slowed down and then they picked it up again. I didn't have any pre-race instructions for Flavien. 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."

Smooth Like Strait and longshot Red Storm Risen  battled on the lead through fractions of :22.61 and :46.66 for the first half. Mo Forza was last of five at that point with 3 1/4 lengths to make up. Smooth Like Strait shook off a retreating Red Storm Risen to lead by 1 1/2 lengths as he ran three-quarters in 1:08.98. But once Prat tipped out Mo Forza, the bay quickly made up ground on the leader. 

Mo Forza closed for a half-length victory, completing the mile on firm turf in 1:32.45. He paid $3.20 to win on a $2 ticket as the 3-5 favorite.

"It was a bit of an awkward race. First quarter was pretty fast, I felt like it was pretty fast. Then we hit the first turn and slowed down a lot, then we got to the backside and took off again, so it was a bit of an awkward race," Prat said. "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.

"He's definitely one who always gives you everything. He has a great turn of foot and it's always a pleasure riding him. Peter did a great job of bringing him back off a long layoff last time and again today, it was a real pleasure."

Smooth Like Strait held for second by a head over Hit the Road . Red Storm Risen and Order and Law  completed the order of finish.

Mo Forza was bred in Kentucky and is the first foal out of the Unusual Heat mare Inflamed, who dropped a full brother to Mo Forza this year. 

Saturday's victory brought Mo Forza's earnings to $1,034,460. The horse holds an 8-3-1 record from 14 starts.

Video: City of Hope Mile S. (G2T)