By Christina Bossinakis
To say that the connections of Seize the Grey (Arrogate) were disappointed that the 3-year-old wouldn't be making it into the starting gate for the GI Kentucky Derby is an understatement. D. Wayne Lukas, who had Just Steel (Justify) tabbed to run later in the day, felt that the MyRacehorse runner could also have also been competitive in the Run For the Roses. While things didn't pan out for the grey to make it into the big dance, he still came away a winner Saturday, taking the GII Pat Day Mile earlier on the Derby card.
“I can't remember the last time I was in the winner's circle with Pat Day,” said Lukas, who partnered with Day to win five American Classics. “This horse is a very special horse who is owned by so many happy people. He ran the race of his life this afternoon and it's such a great way to kick off our Derby Day.”
Vlahos (Kantharos) led through fractions of :22.12 and :44.59 as Otto the Conqueror (Street Sense) and TDN Rising Star Nash (Medaglia d'Oro) loomed. Vlahos continued to lead the field turning for home, but his advantage began to dwindle as the rest closed in. Seize the Grey, who sat just behind the early pace, move to the inside to mount his run. Poking his head in front at the sixteenth pole, the 9-1 shot spurted clear late en route to his first black-type victory. Nash was up for second, out gaming Vlahos at the wire.
“I could tell I was loaded around the three-eighths pole,” said winning rider Jaime Torres. “He went back into the bridle really strong and never gave in. What an amazing atmosphere and race to win.”
A winner second time out in the Saratoga slop last July, the colt finished third in two of three of his final juvenile starts, including a 1 1/16-mile Keeneland optional claimer Oct. 14. Returning at three to win an Oaklawn optional claimer Feb. 24, the grey was third over the synthetic in Turfway's GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Mar. 23 before failing to fire and coming home seventh in Keeneland's GI Blue Grass S. Apr. 6.
According to Lukas, the GI Preakness S. in two weeks will be among races considered as a possible return spot for the colt.
Pedigree Notes:
Seize the Grey is the 13th graded winner for his deceased Arrogate, who is also the sire of Lukas's latest Classic winner, 2022 Kentucky Oaks heroine Secret Oath. The winner's dam, Smart Shopping, is also responsible for SP Shoppingforpharoah (American Pharoah), in addition to an unraced 4-year-old filly by Uncle Mo. Most recently, she produced a Justify filly in 2022 followed by a filly by Life Is Good this term. This represents the family of Grade I winners Power Broker (Pulpit) and Miss Shop (Deputy Minister) as well as GSW and MGISP Trappe Shot (Tapit).
Seize the Grey gets up just in time to win the G2 Pat Day Mile presented by @SAP. Jockey Jamie Torres rode the colt for trainer D. Wayne Lukas and owner MyRacehorse. pic.twitter.com/Ugogaou1Qs
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 4, 2024
Saturday, Churchill Downs
PAT DAY MILE S. PRESENTED BY SAP-GII, $594,710, Churchill Downs, 5-4, 3yo, 1m, 1:35.96, ft.
1–SEIZE THE GREY, 118, c, 3, by Arrogate
1st Dam: Smart Shopping (SP), by Smart Strike
2nd Dam: Shop Again, by Wild Again
3rd Dam: Shopping, by Private Account
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($300,000
Ylg '22 FTSAUG). O-MyRacehorse; B-Jamm, Ltd. (KY); T-D.
Wayne Lukas; J-Jaime A. Torres. $348,300. Lifetime Record:
9-3-0-3, $619,938. Werk Nick Rating: C
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or
the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Nash, 118, c, 3, Medaglia d'Oro–Sara Louise, by Malibu
Moon. O/B-Godolphin, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. 'TDN
Rising Star' $113,000.
3–Vlahos, 118, r, 3, Kantharos–Must Be Dreaming, by Run
Away and Hide. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
($35,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Ty Leatherman, Dan Northrup,
Pappas Horse Racing Corp and Todd Cady; B-John Bates,
Ron Kirk & Greg McDonald (KY); T-Doug F. O'Neill. $56,500.
Margins: 1 1/4, HD, NO. Odds: 9.42, 2.67, 5.79.
Also Ran: Who Dey, Top Conor, Carbone, Beeline, Guanare, Northern Flame, Otto the Conqueror, Gettysburg Address, Frosty Indulgence.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
