Allied Racing Stable’s Mr. Money lived up to his name once more June 15, scoring his second consecutive stakes win by a decisive 6 1/2 lengths in the $150,000 Matt Win Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Bred in Kentucky by Spruce Lane Farm, Mr. Money is from the first crop out Goldencents and is the second foal out of the Tiznow mare Plenty O’Toole. The colt was foaled at Hidden Brook Farm in Paris, Kentucky and sold privately to Peter O’Callaghan. Allied Racing purchased Mr. Money from O’Callaghan’s Woods Edge Farm consignment at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale
Victory in the Matt Winn improved Mr. Money’s record to three wins and two seconds from eight starts with $491,220 in earnings.
Making his first start for trainer Bret Calhoun since his upset of the May 4 Pat Day Mile Stakes presented by LG and E and KU (G3) over the Louisville oval, Mr. Money broke well in the 1 1/16-mile test for 3-year-olds and settled in second right away behind grade 1 winner Knicks Go.
Grade 1 winner Knicks Go broke on top under Tyler Gaffalione and sped to the lead, setting the pace on the rail by a length through the first quarter-mile in :24.19. Guided by Luis Saez, Mr. Money tracked the pace along the backstretch in the two-path as the half-mile went in :47.80. Proverb followed a close third on the rail ahead of Armistice Day in fourth.
Entering the far turn Saez stepped on the gas and Mr. Money began to drive forward to challenge for the lead. Signalman made his move three-wide on the outside to get up for third as they reached in the six-furlong mark in 1:11.35.
Inching ahead, Mr. Money was on even terms with Knicks Go as they left the turn and kicked away. Signalman tried to find enough speed to chase down the leader, overtaking a fading Knicks Go, but did not have enough left in reserve. It was Mr. Money all alone at the wire to complete the race in 1:42.28.
“That was about as easy as you can do it,” said Saez. “This horse has been so impressive all along, and Bret and his team’s hard work is paying off. I’m so thankful to Bret (Calhoun) and Chester (Thomas) for letting me ride this horse. The 1 1/16-mile distance was a little test tonight. He certainly proved he can do it.”
Last fall’s Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) hero Signalman got up to takes second two lengths over Proverb in third. Armistice Day finished fourth followed by Kicks Go, Limonite, and Nolo Contesto to complete the order of finish.
“The way this horse was training after the Pat Day Mile, we had an idea he’d run a big race,” Calhoun said. “Gabe rode him perfectly tonight and he’s proving his talent, that’s for sure.”
-edited from www.bloodhorse.com
