Gelding Stays Undefeated on Gulfstream Turf in Stakes Debut
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Mary Abeel Sullivan Revocable Trust’s Mira Mission, making his stakes debut, kept his perfect record on the Gulfstream Park grass intact by outdueling French import Mouillage through the lane for a three-quarter-length victory in Saturday’s $150,000 Canadian Turf (G3).
The 56th running of the 1 1/16-mile Canadian Turf for 4-year-olds and up was the first of nine stakes, eight graded, worth $1.7 million on a blockbuster 13-race program headlined by the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) for 3-year-olds on the road to the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) April 2.
Mira Mission ($18.80) won twice during last winter’s Championship Meet for previous trainer Tom Bush and came into the Canadian Turf off a half-length optional claiming allowance triumph Jan. 15. He settled in sixth under jockey Julien Leparoux as 10-1 long shot Clear Vision, winner of the one-mile Tropical Turf (G3) Jan. 8, outran 1-5 favorite Never Surprised for the early lead.
Clear Vision went a quarter-mile in 23.76 seconds and a half in 47.54 pressed to his outside by Never Surprised, exiting a runner-up finish to defending champion Colonel Liam in the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) Jan. 29. Noble Indy and Mouillage joined the chase midway around the turn as Mira Mission began to roll on the far outside, engaged Mouillage in mid-stretch and edged clear.
Mouillage, racing first time in the U.S., was a clear second, while G3 winner English Bee outfinished Noble Indy for third. They were followed by Never Surprised, Clear Vision and Sigiloso.
$150,000 Canadian Turf (G3) Quotes
Winning trainer Ian Wilkes (Mira Misson): “I’m very fortunate. I got him from [trainer] Tommy Bush. He developed the horse, and the horse came to me in great order, and I was able to reap the rewards. Because what Tommy did with him as a young horse, the horse just got better and better. No plans. First stakes race today, and I wanted to see how he shaped up, how he’d do. He handled everything. He’s getting better. He’s improving. So I love that.”
Winning jockey Julien Leparoux (Mira Mission): “It set up well. Before the race, looking at the paper, I didn’t know what was going to happen really. I’m glad the favorite had some pressure early on. He didn’t get an easy lead, so we could sit behind, relax, and make one run. He ran a big race. I thought he had a good chance, but the favorite looked hard to beat on paper. I’m very proud of him. He’s getting better and better.”
Gulfstream Park Press Release
Photo: Mira Mission (Lauren King Photo)
