NEWS
Midships wins San Luis Rey
Posted: Saturday, March 21, 2009 8:28 PM
MIDSHIPS
Benoit & Associates photo
by Jeff Apel
Midships set a leisurely pace under confident handling by Victor Espinoza and earned his first North American win in a 1 3/4-length victory in the $150,000 San Luis Rey Handicap (G2) on Saturday at Santa Anita Park.
A Juddmonte Farms homebred, Midships was transferred to trainer Bobby Frankel after making his first ten career starts in England for trainer Amanda Perrett. The Mizzen Mast colt finished third in the 2008 Hollywood Derby (G1) in his North American debut and entered off a fourth-place finish in a 1 1/8-mile optional claiming race on February 26 at Santa Anita.
Midships quickly gained command in the San Luis Rey and opened a two-length advantage through an opening quarter-mile in :24.22. The four-year-old colt led by a length through a half-mile in :48.53 and one mile in 1:38.53.
After increasing his lead to 1 1/2 lengths in early stretch, Midships easily won the 1 1/2-mile race in 2:25.63 on firm turf.
Grade 2 winner Medici Code (GB) finished second, 3 1/2 lengths clear of multiple Grade 1 winner Artiste Royal (Ire), who hesitated and stumbled at the start. Multiple graded stakes winner Spring House was vanned off the track after finishing last in a field of five.
Midships posted his third win in 13 starts and increased his earnings to $225,475. Bred in Kentucky, Midships out of multiple graded stakes winner Interim (GB), by Sadler’s Wells.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Jeff Apel is an assistant editor of Thoroughbred Times TODAY
