Calibrate, at 30-1, Denies Lone Rock in Temperence Hill

The talk going into the Temperence Hill Stakes was whether millionaire and defending race winner Lone Rock  could recapture his form after an eight-month layoff. 

And for the better part of the 1 1/2-mile marathon at Oaklawn Park April 2, it certainly seemed there would be little rust, if any, to knock off. Lone Rock was racing stride-for-stride with Warrant , and the stage was set for a triumphant return. 

Instead, it was 30-1 longshot Calibrate  whose late surge down the stretch upstaged the favorites in his first try at the distance. 

Since being claimed for $50,000 following a race at the Arkansas track March 18, 2022, by Josh Engel, the 5-year-old gelding is showing his potential. 

"Shocked," trainer Coty Rosin told Fox Sports after the race. "All the credit goes to the owner, Josh Engel. "We were just trying the mile-and-a half distance. They either like it or they don't. Looks like he likes it."

Warrant and jockey Flavien Prat jumped out early, setting the pace for the six-horse field through opening fractions of :24.61, :49.47, and 1:14.53. But Lone Rock, who trainer Robertino Diodoro said looked tired and needed a break after last running in July, wasted little time answering the call of Ramon Vazquez as he stayed within a half-length of the leader through a mile in 1:40.63. 

Coming out of the far turn, Warrant began to show signs of giving way to Lone Rock, who led hitting the stretch at 2:06.11. That half-length lead was short lived. 

Calibrate, with Francisco Arrieta in the irons, pushed forward to split the field into equal groups of haves and have nots. Warrant gave way, and for several strides Calibrate and Lone Rock seemed to move in unison. In the final strides, it was the underdog who found an extra gear to win by a length at 2:31.79.

Calibrate paid $62.20 on a $2 win ticket. 

Lone Rock, who ended up a slight 3-2 favorite over Warrant, settled for second, three-quarters of a length ahead of that rival. They were followed by Strong Tide , Mystic Night , and Full Charge .

Bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto, Calibrate was bought by Winchell Thoroughbreds at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $340,000 out James Keogh's consignment. He won his career debut at Saratoga Race Course for trainer Steve Asmussen before enduring a 12-race losing streak that ended two starts after Engel claimed him, when he won an allowance optional claiming race at Oaklawn on May 6 of last year. He is by Distorted Humor and out of the Dynaformer mare Glamour and Style. The mare has five starters from six foals, four of which are winners. 

"Ever since we claimed him, his record speaks for itself. He tries every time. I'm just speechless. Really, really special," Rosin said. 

In the 12 races since being claimed, Calibrate has gone 5-3-0. He improves to 6-5-0 in 24 starts with earnings of $350,740.

Video: Temperence Hill S. (BT)