Stryker Phd Rallies to Win Longacres Mile
Description:
Jim and Mona Hour's Stryker Phd unleashed his usual rally from far back to post a game half-length victory over Boyett in the $200,000 Longacres Mile (gr. III) Aug. 24 at Emerald Downs.
Off as the 13-10 choice in the 12-horse field going a mile over the main track, Stryker Phd was settled well back as Scat Daddybaby sprinted to a clear lead at the outset, setting quick fractions of :22.52, :44.83, and 1:08.42 through the first three-quarters of a mile. Stryker Phd made his move while five-wide rounding the second turn and took charge with a furlong remaining and held off a tenacious Boyett for the final margin.
The time of 1:33.67 was just off the track record 1:33 set by Sky Jack in 2003. The winner returned $4.60, $3.20, and $2.60, with Boyett paying $8.80 and $6.00. Longshot Twistgrips paid $9.40 for third as Scatdaddybaby held fourth.
The 2013 champion Washington-bred older horse, Stryker Phd has now won five of 16 starts, with eight additional placings, while earning $292,751. A 5-year-old Washington-bred gelding by Bertrando now trained by Larry Ross, Stryker Phd rallied from 11th to finish second in last year's running when trained by Margo Lloyd.
Under the tutelage of Ross, he's a perfect 3-for-3 off a long layoff, with his two previous victories in stakes-record times. The gelding made his seasonal bow June 15 with a 3 1/4-length score in the one-mile Budweiser Handicap (1:34.15), which was followed by a one-length victory in the Mt. Rainier Handicap at 1 1/16 miles (1:40.20).
Produced from the Smart Strike mare Striking Scholar, Stryker Phd was bred by Char Clark Thoroughbreds and Todd Havens.