By Patrycja Szpyra
It took the length of the stretch, but Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo–Catch My Drift, by Pioneerof the Nile) closed the gap on the longshot to claim the GII Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct.
Bishops Bay is two races shy of enjoying a perfect record this season–that lone off the board finish coming in the GI Forego Stakes Aug. 23 at Saratoga and his lone runner-up effort coming at his '25 opener at Oaklawn Park. He was last seen Nov. 2 winning the GIII Forty Niner Stakes to claim his spot in the gate for this contest.
Stalking the early pace set by 14-1 chance Mika (Catholic Boy), the 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' was never too far off from that one as an opening quarter went by in :23.10 and a half in :45.72. They covered six furlongs around the turn in 1:09.63 and Bishops Bay had his work cut out for him when they swung for home as Manny Franco's charge tried to give them all the slip on the front end. The longtime leader gamely refused to come back, and it took a relentless drive from Bishops Bay to overhaul that one, but he did so in the shadow of the wire to win by a neck. Crazy Mason (Coal Front) came on from the back to claim third over 9-5 second choice Phileas Fogg (Astern {Aus}).
“That horse [No. 2, Mika] kind of got away going up the backside and he was tough to reel in, but Flavien [Prat] did a good job and got there just in time,” said Brad Cox. “I was worried about that loose leader watching the race, he was traveling awfully well in the turn and when they straightened away, I thought he'd be pretty hard to run down. Once again, our horse was very game–he always shows up and is very consistent. Flavien is 6-for-6 on him so they make a good team, for sure.”
Cox also confirmed that KAS Stables, who purchased Bishops Bay last month for $1.3-million during the Horses of Racing Age section of Keeneland November, had plans to target the Feb. 14 G1 Saudi Cup with their recent acquisition.
“The ownership wants to pursue that. If there's another race between now and then, I'm not certain. We'll see if this gets him directly in or exactly how we would get him in–we'll have to talk to the Saudi Cup committee and see if they feel [he's done enough] as of now or would need another race.”
“When Manny [Franco] kind of went on the lead and looked very comfortable, I kind of changed my mind, got as close as I could to him without using my horse too much,” said winning rider Flavien Prat. “Honestly, turning for home, I was hoping he'd stop in front…I wasn't sure I was going to get there.”
“I was able to stick with him [Mika] and [when] we turned for home, he didn't open up on me. I was able to stick close and I figured at some point he'd slow down, [because] my horse wasn't [slowing down].”
Despite his best efforts in getting his mount home first, Franco suspects the half-mile split did a bit more to Mika than anticipated, especially late, saying, “I did what I wanted to do: I wanted to be on the lead–them chasing me. He ran good. My horse was there for me, at the three-sixteenths pole, I said, 'man, I think I'm going to get it.' Just within the eighth pole, he felt the 45 [seconds fraction for the half-mile] a little bit.”
When asked about future plans for his 3-year-old–who was facing older runners for the first time–trainer Mike Maker said he would get with the owners and get an idea on what to expect.
As for Phileas Fogg, Joel Rosario felt the mile may have hindered the gelding's chances. “It was good, but the time was fast. In the turn, I thought I was in a good spot, but they never came back. They just kept moving forward. They ran fast, too, and he needed more time to get into his stride. A little longer would make it better for him.”
A big win for BISHOPS BAY! He takes the Grade 2 Cigar Mile Handicap under Flavien Prat for trainer @bradcoxracing, and has now won 6 of his last 7 starts. pic.twitter.com/FQk3ReDt1d
— NYRA (🗽) (@TheNYRA) December 6, 2025
Pedigree Notes:
Bishops Bay is one of three black-type runners in a row for Catch My Drift, herself Grade I-placed in the Beldame Stakes during her time on the track. The aforementioned trio consists of MSP Strava (Into Mischief), Bishops Bay, and GSW & GISP Catching Freedom (Constitution). Since them, the mare claims a winning 3-year-old named Indeed (Improbable) as well as an unplaced juvenile named Uncatchable (Not This Time). Catch My Drift foaled a 2025 full-sister to Bishops Bay this season and went back to Constitution for 2026.
The late Uncle Mo accounts for six graded winners in 2025 led by GI Clement L. Hirsch victress Seismic Beauty. Counting Bishops Bay, he also sired Canadian graded winner Simcoe, Donegal Momentum, Toupie, and Italian Soiree.
Saturday, Aqueduct
CIGAR MILE H.-GII, $500,000, Aqueduct, 12-6, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:34.62, ft.
1–BISHOPS BAY, 125, h, 5, by Uncle Mo
1st Dam: Catch My Drift (SW & GISP, $280,540), by Pioneerof the Nile
2nd Dam: Drift to the Lead, by Yonaguska
3rd Dam: Drifa, by Tabasco Cat
($450,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $1,300,000 5yo '25 KEENOV).O-KAS Stables; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. $275,000. Lifetime Record: 13-9-3-0, $977,800. *1/2 to Catching Freedom (Constitution), GSW & GISP, $1,418,302; 1/2 to Strava (Into Mischief), MSP, $472,326. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Mika, 118, c, 3, Catholic Boy–History Supreme, by Speightstown. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($42,000 RNA Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $22,000 RNA 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O/B-Nice Guys Stables (KY); T-Michael J. Maker. $100,000.
3–Crazy Mason, 124, c, 4, Coal Front–Izshelegal, by Maria's Mon. ($20,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $27,500 Ylg '22 EASOCT). O-Donna Wright and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing; B-Gmbracstables LLC, Mr. & Mrs. Ramon Rangel & Mr. & Mrs. Zachary Madden (KY); T-Gregory D. Sacco. $60,000.
Margins: NK, 4 1/4, 2. Odds: 1.20, 14.82, 3.01.
Also Ran: Phileas Fogg, Pentathlon, Brazenly. Scratched: Doc Sullivan.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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