Pozo de Luna’s Suggestive Boy, last seen finishing seventh behind Wise Dan in
the Breeders’ Cup Mile, flattered the recently-crowned Horse of the Year with a
convincing victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $152,000
Arcadia
Stakes at Santa Anita. Trained by Ron McAnally and ridden by Joe Talamo, the
multiple Argentinean Group 1 star swept from off the pace en route to a 2
1/2-length success in a sharp 1:32 3/5 for the firm-turf mile.
Suggestive Boy, who had chased the pace before retreating in the November 3
Breeders’ Cup Mile at this course and distance, benefited by more patient
tactics this time. Drawn out wide in post 12, the 4-1 second choice was reserved
in midpack. Up front, a fast tempo was set by Chosen Miracle through fractions of
:22 1/5, :45 3/5 and 1:09 1/5, all the while prompted by Tribal Tribute.
Improving his position on the far turn, Suggestive Boy was poised to strike
at the top of the stretch, and he bounded away from the weakening leaders. The
five-year-old son of Easing Along ran out an emphatic winner, thus notching his
first U.S. graded tally and furnishing mutuels of $10.40, $5.80 and $4.20.
Wilkinson got up for second by a half-length from 4-1 favorite Silentio, who
edged Akkadian and Klisz, respectively. Rounding out the order under the wire
were Forest Mouse; Chosen Miracle; Tribal Tribute; Vagabond Shoes; Willyconker;
Strong Suit, who acted up before entering post 13, broke tardily, and never
recovered; Key Decision; and Sebastian Flyte. Clubhouse Ride was withdrawn in
favor of Sunday’s Grade 2 San Antonio.
Suggestive Boy was a four-time Group 1 hero in his native Argentina. At two,
he landed the Gran Premio Raul y Raul Chevalier and Gran Premio Estrellas
Juvenile, and at three, he captured the Dos Mil Guineas and Gran Premio Jockey
Club.
Subsequently exported, Suggestive Boy was an encouraging runner-up to
Jeranimo in last summer’s Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile in his U.S. debut. He built on
that effort to take the July 25 Wickerr over the Del Mar turf next time out, but
then failed to prosper when switching surfaces, winding up fifth in both the
Grade 1 Pacific Classic on the Del Mar Polytrack and in the Grade 1 Awesome
Again on Santa Anita’s dirt. Although Suggestive Boy unsuccessfully reverted to
turf for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, he looked very much at home here while
advancing his line to 12-6-2-0, $504,654.
Bred by Haras Futuro, Suggestive Boy was produced by the Horse Chestnut mare
Suffrage, making him a half-brother to Chilean Group 2-placed Suffisant. This is
the family of Grade 2 victress Mesabi Maiden, and further back, multiple Grade 1
winner Coronado’s Quest, Grade 1 victor Private Terms and Hall of Famer Ruffian.
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