Hoist the Gold, Velasquez, Stewart nab Cigar Stakes 2023 honors

We usually mark the Cigar Mile as the end-point for the long racing season. The run up to today’s event seemed muted, as you might expect, given its Autumnal pallor. Given its demotion to a Grade 2. But in its running there was the type of surprise that characterizes the best of horse racing.

Looking at the race in the morning: A phalanx of three Chad Brown runners were set to go. These always seem dangerous. (Brown would gather their three jockeys together for a confab before the call to mount. Plan A. ) Top trainers Mott and Cox were also represented. One punter noted the whole lot were winless in recent efforts, and especially suspect at the graded stakes level. As the day developed, a somewhat wet track seemed to favor early speed.

Looking at the board as the horses went toward the gate, the odds on one caught our attention. Hoist the Gold, trained by Dallas Stewart and ridden by John Velasquez. We’d taken Hoist the Gold in the recent Breeders Cup Sprint.

In that race, the horse was slow breaking, stuck behind others, fading to the back (at which point we made mental note that he seemed phased by the stellar class he faced that day) before making a late mild move. His rider that day, Velasquez, said the horse didn’t like the kickback, but was gaining strength and momentum in the later part of the sprint. Stewart took that as a sign to try the Cigar. Before the Breeders Cup, Hoist the Gold had turned in a thrilling and winning effort in The Grade 2 Phoenix at Keenland, besting Nakatomi [the horse, not the jockey] and Bingo [the horse, not the Pope’s favorite game of chance].

We know Stewart as one who can surprise. Doesn’t come to NY that much, but comes with intent. Especially known for hitting the board at big odds in big races. What can you say about John Velasquez? Let’s just look at the Cigar Mile record. Going into today’s renewal, John Velasquez had three wins in the event – Left Bank, in 2000; Tonalist, in 2015; and Mind Control, just last year. 9-to-1 seemed a good price.

 

Why am I telling you this? I think you know. Because our pick Hoist the Gold took an early lead and continually improved on it, striding away in the stretch. Problem of class? None for the horse in this race. Natural speed? Plenty. Well trained for race? Quite. Expertly ridden by a master rider who had correctly sussed out the track bias and competition? Very much the case! - B.B.

Don't cry for Chad: Brown's Program Trading would win the $300,000 Hollywood Derby at Delmar later in the day.