Hoist the Gold Aims for Career High in Met Mile

Thanks to some top competition also entered in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1), Hoist the Gold  carries morning-line odds of 15-1 into the June 8 test at Saratoga Race Course but his strong 2023 season suggests the son of Mineshaft   deserves the opportunity.

A year ago Hoist the Gold secured grade 2 victories in both the Cigar Mile Handicap (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack and the Phoenix Stakes (G2) at Keeneland and he earned a grade 1 placing when second to eventual 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish   in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1).

While Hoist the Gold has failed to hit the board in three starts this year those efforts have come at the top level, as he finished fourth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), 14th in the Saudi Cup (G1), and fifth in the Churchill Downs. In his 5-year-old debut in the Pegasus, Hoist the Gold finished 11 lengths behind National Treasure , the 8-5 second choice in the Met Mile.

Trainer Dallas Stewart believes Hoist the Gold, who is campaigned by Dream Team One Racing Stable, can move forward off his May 4 effort in the Churchill Downs, his first start since the Saudi Cup in February. In his winning efforts Hoist the Gold has excelled on the front end or by pressing horses early. In the seven-furlong Churchill Downs, he stalked from third through a half-mile but lacked punch late.

"With it being the first start since the Saudi Cup, it makes sense that he needed that race and he's been doing well since," Stewart said. "Obviously there are some very good horses in there but we feel good about our horse."

Perhaps that prep race at Churchill could provide a small edge Saturday as both Met Mile favorite White Abarrio  and National Treasure will be making their first starts since the Saudi Cup.

Stewart also likes the distance of Saturday's race, which will be contested at a mile out of Saratoga's Wilson Chute. The race marks a return to the mile distance for Hoist the Gold for the first time since he won the Cigar Mile in front-running fashion by 4 1/2 lengths over Senor Buscador , who flattered that effort this year when he captured the Saudi Cup.