Wesley captures Miami Mile

Wesley returned to the winner’s circle (Jim Lisa Photos)

J. Paul Reddam and Willmott Stables’ WESLEY (El Prado [Ire]) stalked
the opening half-mile of Saturday’s $100,000

Miami Mile H. (G3) at Calder, rallied to take over entering the
stretch and pulled away to record a 1 1/2-length win. Giving jockey
Javier Castellano his second graded win on the afternoon, following
Criticism’s score in the La Prevoyante H. (G2) earlier on the card,
Wesley ran eight furlongs on the firm turf in 1:13.

Granizo (Brz) (Ibero [Arg]) grabbed the early lead, setting splits of
:25 2/5 and :50 while closely tracked on his outside by Baron Von Tap
(Pleasant Tap) and Wesley. The pacesetter suddenly began to fade,
leaving the way clear for Baron Von Tap to take over through six
furlongs in 1:13, but it was Wesley who had the most momentum, pulling
his way to the front through and drawing off.

Trained by Mark Hennig, Wesley was sent off the near 5-2 favorite,
returning $6.80, $3.80 and $2.80. Mambo Meister (King Cugat) moved up to
take second by 1 1/4 lengths over Fearless Eagle (Invisible Ink), paying
$3.60 and $2.80 while ending the $33.20 exacta as the 2-1 second pick.
Fearless Eagle gave back $3.40 at 6-1 and completed the $119 trifecta.
Baron Von Temp faded to fourth and finished the $428.80 superfecta
(12-6-11-10), while Vanquisher (Gulch), Rogue Victory (Victory Gallop)
and Granizo rounded out the order under the wire.