By Alan Carasso
Easy Pisa (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) became the first horse to carry the orange-and-blue colors of prominent owner Mike Repole in Italy when validating short-odds favoritism in the Premio Walter Dainotto, a 1200-meter event for debutantes at the San Siro in Milan on Sunday, May 10.
A 90,000gns ($126,002) purchase by the Repole team from the draft of breeder Roundhill Stud during Book 2 of the 2025 Tattersalls October Sale in Newmarket, England, the Mar. 6 foal is trained by Endo and Christiana Botti and was made the $1.75 (3-4) choice in a field of five. Off to a hesitant beginning from the inside stall, Easy Pisa was immediately guided right, towards the center of the track to chase from third through the early exchanges.
Striding to the front without being asked by jockey Dario Di Tocco with a quarter mile to travel, Easy Pisa was confronted on the stands'-side rail by Give You My Love (Ire) (Space Blues {Ire}) inside the final 200 meters, but repelled that challenge and fought on bravely to a one-length success. The pair pulled 11 lengths clear of the third-place finisher (video).
“When you saddle a first runner for such and important stable, there is always pressure, but it didn't come from Mike Repole–quite the opposite,” Endo Botti told Jour de Galop. “We had spoken to him before the race and he told us, 'Stay calm. If she wins, great, if not, it will be for next time.'”
The daughter of Ladywood (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a half-sister to multiple group winner Bow Creek (Ire) (Shamardal), is one of nine horses–including three homebreds–that were sent to Italy by Repole, who cited his desire to connect with his heritage. Among them is a filly by Dubawi (Ire) out of a full-sister to G1 1000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks heroine Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) acquired for €300,000 at last year's Arqana August Sale.
Mike Repole said that, being of Italian descent, this win was special.
“Obviously, my heritage is from Italy. My daughter's name is Gioia Mia, which means my joy in Italian,” said Repole, reached Monday. “It's where my father's family was from. My mom was born there, and her brother still lives there. We go almost every June and it was special. Doing business with Endo and Cristina is great. I never had a trainer I could speak Italian to.”
Repole said that all of his family members in Italy were eagerly watching the race.
“The race was at 930 yesterday morning on Mother's Day,” he said. “My whole family was watching it. Madison (Scott) sent us the link, so my whole family had it and my uncle in Italy with his three daughters, husband, grandchildren were all watching it. I think they bet $10 and thought they were going to get rich. They got back $15.”
Repole said he was happy to participate in what may be a renaissance in Italian racing.
“Listen,” he said, “Italian racing was down for a long, long time and I think people are getting behind it, and it's making a comeback. I'm looking to win the Italian Derby before I win the Kentucky Derby. I have a much better chance of winning the Italian Derby.”
“We have important prospects with real potential, who have truly boosted the stable and we need to produce results,” Endo Botti told JDG. “We're off to a good start now and we have to keep going.”
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