Cigar Mile

Saturday’s $350,000 Cigar Mile H. (G1) brings together a contentious field of
11 in the centerpiece event of Aqueduct’s HolidayFest, and Todd Pletcher, who
established a new single season earnings record on Friday, has three entered.
The Eclipse Award-winning conditioner did not enter defending champ Lion Tamer
(Will’s Way), who is in the process of being sold, but we think he’ll still come
out on top with HOST (Chi) (Hussonet).

Winner of the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) two starts back, the chestnut endured a
terrible trip through the stretch of the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) last out, being
repeatedly stopped in traffic with nowhere to run. He was beaten just three
lengths that afternoon and brings his outstanding present form to the main track
on Saturday. Host owns dirt experience, winning a one-mile stakes in his native
Chile two years ago, and he finished a decent third in the Excelsior Breeders’
Cup H. (G3) last season. However, the five-year-old has learned to rate more
effectively since those early forays and has probably never been better. He
should have plenty of pace to set up a winning rally in the prestigious Cigar.

GYGISTAR (Prospector’s Music) is a top threat for Mark Hennig. A Grade 1
winner, the six-year-old gelding always does his best running at middle
distances. Although he didn’t fire in the six-furlong Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) last
time, he had been running well prior to that, earning triple-digit BRIS
Speed ratings in six straight starts. Gygistar earned a whopping 112 Speed
rating for his score in the one-mile Westchester H. (G3) earlier this season,
and he’s won three of his last four starts at the distance. The chestnut shows a
sharp five-furlong work for this start, and we anticipate him receiving a
perfect stalking trip before offering a challenge in this spot.

SILVER WAGON (Wagon Limit) wouldn’t surprise us with a victory, but he tends
to get part more often and we’ll use him on the bottom of the exotics. Runner-up
in the Met Mile (G1), the gray four-year-old has turned in three respectable
performances since then, including a close fourth in the Sport Page H. (G3) most
recently. The late runner has moved to the barn of Richard Dutrow since then and
could continue to show more in the Cigar.

STRAIGHT LINE (Boundary) is an intriguing prospect for a top-three finish and
looms as an upset candidate at long odds. Trained by Harvey Vanier, the
improving sophomore colt exits a nice win over older horses in the 7 1/2-furlong Ack Ack H. (G3) and shows a 3-1-0 mark from his last four starts around one
turn. His recent Speed ratings are solid (104 and 105) and the dark bay owns
good tactical speed. We wouldn’t be surprised to see him offer another good
showing for part and will spread with him in some multi-race wagers.

PURGE (Pulpit) will be probably be overlooked in the wagering but could land
a spot in the top three. He appears to be rounding into top form for Pletcher
following a freshening over the summer, and the one-mile, one-turn distance is a
good fit for the multiple Grade 2-winning four-year-old. Purge could prove to be
a factor from just off the pace at good odds.

SCRAPPY T (Fit to Fight) is a pace factor but must avoid getting caught up in
a speed duel. The gelding cuts back off a commendable runner-up effort in the
Discovery H. (G3) and showed excellent class when second in the Preakness (G1).
He makes his third start off the layoff for trainer Robert Bailes and can’t be
dismissed from exotics consideration. IMPERIALISM (Langfuhr) fits well at a mile
and could offer a stiff rally from off the pace with his best. However, the
multiple Grade 2 winner has made his second cross-country trip in less than a
month (eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint) for trainer Kristin Mulhall and we’ll
just watch to see how he fares.

BADGE OF SILVER (Silver Deputy) and MASS MEDIA (Touch Gold) will both be
making their final career appearances, and the uncoupled Bobby Frankel trainees
own plenty of back class. The former finished second in this event last year and
owns a Grade 2 score earlier this season, but we wonder if he’s sharp enough to
challenge this time around. Mass Media recorded a commendable victory in the
Forego S. (G1) two starts back, but he’s winless at a mile and will be facing
stiffer company.

VALUE PLUS (Unbridled’s Song) has been very inconsistent for Pletcher this
season and does his best running on the front end. We can’t recommend his
chances. BAILERO (Arg) (Roy) is a speedball who probably will help ensure
a fast pace for uncoupled stablemate Silver Wagon.