December 29, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
A Roaring Success
Mufasa (CHI) claimed his spot atop the throne with a lionhearted effort in Saturday’s $165,000 Mr. Prospector (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Squaring off against overwhelming 2-5 favorite and 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) champion White Abarrio, Mufasa showed no fear in his pursuit of victory.
Under the steady hand of rider Tyler Gaffalione, the 5-year-old maintained a steady position near the head of the 10-horse field before bolting to the front and holding on for the 1 ¼-length score over White Abarrio.
The Mr. Prospector stands as Mufasa’s second graded trophy since joining the North American circuit in June (Grade 3 Vosburgh).
At 4-1, Mufasa paid $10.20.
Keep the Motor Runnin’
Making his first start after a second in November’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T), Motorious (GB) had just enough in the tank to dispel an upset in the $200,000 Joe Hernandez (G2T).
The title tilt on Santa Anita’s Saturday card sure looked primed for a surprise ending, courtesy of 12-1 hopeful Surnter, but a very late push from 4-5 clubhouse leader Motorious proved oddsmakers right.
While a head’s difference was not what the Phil D’Amato trainee envisioned, the slight margin still returned Motorious’ second graded prize of 2024 and fourth overall (21: 8-5-2) lifetime record.
The taxing triumph paid a modest $3.80.
Fir the Win!
A bevy of scratches evened the field and opened the door for Lagynos to rise above the rest in the $100,000 Woodchopper at Fair Grounds.
Closing as the board’s second choice behind Mc Vay (3-2), Lagynos (3-1) took command in latter stages of the 1 1/16-mile contest and watched his lead grow.
By the time it was said and done, the Edgar Morales mount crossed the finish line 2 ¼-lengths of the next closest competitor, Tough Little Nut (9-1).
After a winless first nine starts, Lagynos finished his sophomore campaign on a high note, collecting back-to-back stakes titles (Grade 3 Commonwealth Turf on Nov. 23).
The 3-year-old colt paid $8.40 on Saturday afternoon.
Better Late than Never
It took until his ninth try, but Maximus Meridius finally put an end to a ghastly stakes drought with a half-length conquest in Saturday’s $150,000 Gravesend.
Competing in front of the Aqueduct faithful for the first time in eight months, the determined 3-year-old gelding delivered the finest effort of his career right before the buzzer sounded on 2024.
While Maximus Meridius had come close at the stakes ranks several times before (a quartet of seconds), the Robert Reid Jr. charge truly had to earn his long-awaited breakthrough moment.
The freeing victory, which pushed Maximus Meridius to 4-4-1 through 13 total starts, paid $6.90.
Out of the Fogg
Two consecutive tallies at the claiming ranks had Phileas Fogg in line for a promotion, and when his time came, the 4-year-old gelding ran away with the opportunity.
Taking to Aqueduct for the $150,000 Queens County Stakes on Sunday afternoon, Phileas Fogg and rider Romero Ramsay Maragh leveled the competition in a gate-to-wire eight-length decision.
The dominant showing capped off an impressive season that saw the Gustavo Rodriguez trainee find the winner’s circle six times across nine starts (6-0-0).
Phileas Fogg, who now stands at 13: 7-2-0 lifetime, paid a smooth $9.80.