Wise’ to Play Against ‘Dan’ in Shadwell?

Two-time defending Horse of the Year Wise Dan (Wiseman’s Ferry) hasn’t lost a race on the turf in 13 tries dating back to the GI Shadwell Turf Mile 36 months ago when he was beaten a little less than two lengths into fourth by Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat), who was winning the race for the second consecutive year. The popular 7-year-old will be a hot favorite to etch his name on the trophy for the second time in the last three years and to atone for his defeat at the hands ofSilver Max (Badge of Silver) when last year’s Shadwell was moved onto the Polytrack. 

But even though Morton Fink’s homebred will offer something in the vicinity of 60 cents on the dollars when they load the gate this afternoon, there will be many willing to take a stand against the champion based largely on the fact that, while very game in posting three wins thus far this term, Wise Dan has lacked the killer instinct he had possessed heretofore. 

Rested off his successful title defense of the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile, Charlie LoPresti’s charge posted his ‘easiest’ victory of 2014 when holding off longshot Kaigun (Northern Afleet) by three-parts of a length in winning the GI Maker’s 46 Mile S. for the second consecutive season Apr. 11, but he looked ticketed for a loss when Seek Again (Speightstown) came running up the fence in the GI Woodford Reserve Turf Classic May 3. He managed to call upon all his class to hold off the GI Hollywood Derby hero by a head, but the 96 Beyer Speed Figure he earned on that occasion represented the first time since the 2011 GII Fayette S. that he failed to earn a triple-digit number, a span of 15 races. He found himself on an operating table less than two weeks later, undergoing emergency colic surgery, and made a much-anticipated return to action in the GII Bernard Baruch H. at Saratoga Aug. 30. Forced to give his rivals between eight and 13 pounds, he plugged on to lead into the final half-furlong, but was all out to hold off 29-1 Optimizer (English Channel) by a nose. Wise Dan has every right to come on for that effort, but will likely have to work for it against an above-average group. That said, LoPresti is very happy with the gelding’s current state.

“He is just an amazing horse,” LoPresti said following a Wednesday morning gallop under regular exercise rider Damien Rock. “He is about as good as I can get him.” 

Seek Again will try to exact his revenge and exits a tough-as-nails success over Grand Arch (Arch) in the GII Fourstardave H. Aug. 9 at the Spa in which he was blocked for a good portion of the stretch before punching through at the fence to nose out the Canadian raider. 

Since his effort here in the spring, Kaigun has put together an admirable season, finishing ahead of Seek Again when second in the GI Manhattan H. over 10 furlongs before cutting back to earn a career-best 103 Beyer in the GII Play the King S. going seven furlongs. The chestnut was most recently a running-on second to Trade Storm (GB) (Trade Fair {GB}) in the GI Woodbine Mile Sept. 14.