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Winning Prize repels Lochte in Kilroe Mile

Winning Prize now has a U.S. Grade 1 to go along with his three top-level scores in Argentina (Benoit Photos) David Heerensperger and Jose Nelson's Winning Prize reverted to his front-running tactics, and repulsed a stiff challenge from Lochte, to notch his first North American Grade 1 victory in Saturday's $351,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita. A three-time Group 1 star in his native Argentina, the Neil Drysdale charge had successfully employed a stalking style last time out in the local prep, the February 1 Arcadia. By adding the Kilroe to his resume, he became the second straight Argentinean-bred to turn the Arcadia/Kilroe double, after Suggestive Boy in 2013. The Kilroe pace figured to be fast, with the likes of Horizontalyspeakin and Arcadia pacesetter Regally Ready in the line-up. But Horizontalyspeakin was scratched, and Regally Ready didn't blast away as he did before. Winning Prize did show his sharp early speed for Corey Nakatani, and easily took command through an opening quarter in :23. Tom's Tribute tracked in second, while Lochte skimmed the rail in Winning Prize's wake. Regally Ready hustled to join the fray on the backstretch, ranging up to join Tom's Tribute. Meanwhile, Winning Prize reeled off splits of :46 2/5 and 1:09 1/5. Drifting out slightly when cornering for home, he left the door open for Lochte, and the Gulfstream Park Turf upsetter wasted no time in taking it.

Lochte threw down a serious bid down the lane, but Winning Prize rose to the occasion, rebuffed his rival by a half-length, and sizzled the firm-turf mile in 1:32 2/5. That time ranks as the second-fastest in Kilroe history, bettered only by Atticus' 1:31 4/5 in 1997. The 7-2 third choice, Winning Prize rewarded his backers with a $9.60 win payout.

"We were expecting the other horse (Regally Ready) to go to the lead," Drysdale said. "When he took him back, it left us on the lead, and he wasn't pressured badly -- we went :23 and change, :46 and change. That horse is just quality. It makes a big difference when you can get away with an easy first half mile. That set us up well. He quickened well in the stretch. He's changed and relaxes in his races. He's becoming more adaptable the more we race him."

"I talked to Neil about it this morning," Nakatani said of the pace scenario, "and we felt we were ready if he was going to go ahead and go and do his thing. We knew we could track him (Regally Ready).

Winning Prize and Corey Nakatani craftily took the lead when it was handed to them (Benoit Photos) "I know this horse didn't have to be on the lead, but today, it was coming easy to him, and I wasn't going to take it away. Whatever he was comfortable with, we were going to do. We were getting a little bit of pressure, but I was able to get him relaxed. He had his ears pricked, and it was just nice and comfortable. He likes that high cruising speed, and we let him do the running, and he showed he was the best one today." Lochte's trainer, Marcus Vitali, was delighted with his performance. "I thought the ride was spectacular," Vitali said of Orlando Bocachica's steering job. "Going a flat mile, I thought we had him tuned up for the flat mile. Orlando did a great job. He sat there, he was patient. He saved ground. The fence opened up a little bit and he made his big run. The six horse (Winning Prize) seemed to be a little bit better today, but overall, I'm pleased with everything." Suggestive Boy rallied for third in his title defense, improving off his comeback fifth in the Arcadia. "This is a gift," said Fernando Fantini, racing manager for owner Pozo de Luna. "He had a health problem eight months ago. He was supposed to not run ever again. He ran the Arcadia and wasn't 100 percent, and now he's starting to get back. Dr. (Larry) Bramlage said the horse could run again, and he was right. It's absolutely a good feeling -- we're very happy."

The defending champion edged 9-5 favorite Za Approval by a neck. Silentio, who had missed by a whisker to Suggestive Boy last year, was another neck away in fifth. Next came Lakerville, Tom's Tribute, Regally Ready and Optimizer.

Winning Prize now boasts a record of 13-8-1-1, $610,840. An 11-length romper at second asking in Argentina, he quickly added a pair of Group 1 events for juveniles, the Raul Y Raul E. Chevalier and the Gran Criterium. Winning Prize was upset in his three-year-old debut in the Gran Premio Dos Mil Guineas, finishing second to Johnny Guitar. He made an unsuccessful switch to dirt when seventh in the Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos. Rebounding on his return to turf, Winning Prize captured his final two outings in Argentina, and notably recorded his third Group 1 score in the Joaquin S. de Anchorena.

The son of Pure Prize made his winning U.S. debut off an eight-month holiday last August, wiring a Del Mar optional claimer by four lengths in a sparkling 1:32 4/5 on firm ground. Winning Prize then shipped to Keeneland to challenge Wise Dan in the October 5 Shadwell Turf Mile, but a sudden deluge forced the race onto the Polytrack. Although Winning Prize ran creditably in fourth, five lengths behind upsetter Silver Max, he didn't show his customary speed. Winning Prize was happier back on turf in the November 29 Citation Handicap at Hollywood, where he led early and held on for a close, grudging third to Silentio and Summer Front on a good course. He has since prospered on the firm going at Santa Anita.

Bred by Haras de la Pomme, Winning Prize is out of the You and I mare Winning Ways. This is the family of Australian Group 1-winning sire Northern Meteor, and further back, English/Irish champion and sire Apalachee, Irish champion Belted Earl and Grade 1 queen Hail Atlantis (dam of noted sire Stormy Atlantic).

Winning Prize's fifth dam is 1965 Horse of the Year Moccasin, full sister to 1961 champion two-year-old colt Ridan and to multiple stakes-winning sire Lt. Stevens. Other all-stars in the maternal line include champions and outstanding sires Sadler's Wells and Nureyev, English/Irish champion Thatch and U.S. Hall of Famer Gamely.

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