At 1-5, MGISW McKinzie (Street Sense) was bet like he couldn't lose Saturday's GI Awesome Again S. at Santa Anita, while Mongolian Groom (Hightail) was completely dismissed at 25-1. In a shocking twist, that longshot turned back the bid of the heavy favorite to pull off a major upset and secure a spot in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic field at this oval Nov. 2.
Seizing the early advantage, Mongolian Groom was pushed along by 60-1 shot Isotherm (Lonhro {Aus}) through a half-mile in :48.29, with McKinzie perched on their outside in third. Draft Pick (Candy Ride {Arg}) slid up the rail to take third from McKinzie, who maintained his position in the three path and Higher Power (Medaglia d'Oro) joined the fray between those two as three-quarters went in 1:12.07. Mike Smith gave McKinzie the signal and readily responded, gliding up to challenge the pacesetter. Mongolian Groom still had plenty left in the tank, however, and instantly turned back his more-fancied rival, skipping clear to an 2 1/4-length score. McKinzie held third and GI Pacific Classic hero Higher Power was third. It was the second graded win of the day and first Grade I victory for rider Abel Cedillo.
Completing the trifecta behind Gift Box (Twirling Candy) in the GI Santa Anita H. Apr. 6, Mongolian Groom was off the board in his next three attempts in the Apr. 20 GII Charles Town Classic, May 27 GI Gold Cup at Santa Anita and June 23 GIII San Juan Capistrano S. on grass. Runner-up to Catalina Cruiser (Union Rags) in the GII San Diego H. July 20, the $12,000 OBSAPR buy filled the show spot behind Higher Power and Draft Pick in the Pac Classic Aug. 17 and was fifth last time in Saratoga's GI Woodward S. Aug. 31.
Pedigree Notes:
Mongolian Groom is the second stakes winner and first graded winner for his sire Hightail, who is a son of Mineshaft. However, he is the 144th stakes victor and 45th black-type scorer out of a daughter of the legendary Dynaformer. His dam Bourbonesque produced the colt Bourbon Treaty (Raison d'Etat) in 2018. He sold for $1,200 at that year's Keeneland November Sale and she brought $4,500 from Equus Farm at the same auction. The 10-year-old mare had a Keen Ice colt Apr. 21 of this year and was bred back to GI Preakness S. winner Cloud Computing.
Saturday, Santa Anita
AWESOME AGAIN S.-GI, $300,351, Santa Anita, 9-28, 3yo/up,
1 1/8m, 1:49.27, ft.
1–MONGOLIAN GROOM, 121, g, 4, by Hightail
1st Dam: Bourbonesque, by Dynaformer
2nd Dam: Rhineland, by Mr. Prospector
3rd Dam: Versailles Treaty, by Danzig
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I
WIN. ($11,000 Ylg '16 FTKOCT; $12,000 2yo '17 OBSAPR).
O-Mongolian Stable; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Enebish Ganbat;
J-Abel Cedillo. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 16-3-2-3, $579,141.
Click for eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating:
B+.
2–McKinzie, 125, c, 4, Street Sense–Runway Model, by
Petionville. ($170,000 Ylg '16 KEESEP). 'TDN Rising Star' O-Karl
Watson, Michael Pegram, & Paul Weitman; B-Summer Wind
Farm (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $60,000.
3–Higher Power, 125, c, 4, Medaglia d'Oro–Alternate, by
Seattle Slew. ($250,000 4yo '19 KEEAPR). O-Hronis Racing LLC;
B-Pin Oak Stud, LLC (KY); T-John W. Sadler. $36,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 5 1/4, 1. Odds: 25.40, 0.30, 3.20.
Also Ran: Seeking the Soul, Draft Pick, Isotherm. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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