Slip Mahoney, Everso Mischievous Win Churchill Stakes
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Photo: Coady Photography
Slip Mahoney (left) wins the Bourbon Trail Stakes at Churchill Downs
Slip Mahoney improved upon a narrow defeat in last month's St. Louis Derby to take a dramatic running of the $300,000 Bourbon Trail Stakes Sept. 23 at Churchill Downs.
Running for the colors of Gold Square, Slip Mahoney raced just off the early pace behind fractions of :23.63 and :48.04 in the 1 3/16-mile race before launching a wide move turning for home. Under steady encouragement from jockey Gerardo Corrales, the son of Arrogate wore down a stubborn Big Data for a neck score.
- Big Data, the favorite in the field of six, was runner-up over Oscar Eclipse .
- Slip Mahoney ($6.76), trained by Brad Cox, was timed in 1:56.66 for the 1 3/16 miles on a fast track.
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“We’re really proud of his effort tonight. He really fought hard the entire way down the lane and Gerardo (Corrales) really timed it well tonight. We knew a couple of horses may show some tactical speed in this race. It worked out well for us with this horse’s style.” -Trace Messina, assistant trainer to Brad Cox.
Video: Bourbon Trail S. (BT)
Qatar Racing's Everso Mischievous gave Cox back-to-back stakes winners by drawing away to a 3 1/4-length victory in the $300,000 Harrods Creek Stakes one race later.
- The 3-year-old son of Into Mischief improved to 3-2-0 in five starts with a winning time seven-furlong time of 1:22.15 after a pace-pressing trip under Cristian Torres. The Clearsky Farms-bred chestnut paid $4.38 to win.
- Bourbon Bash stalked the leaders and loomed a threat, but the winner had enough in reserve to power away. Bourbon Bash finished clear of Loyal Company , who edged Determinedly for the show.
- "The more you ask him, the more he gives you," Torres said of the winner.