Il Miracolo (c, 3, Gun Runner–Tapit's World, by Tapit), a longshot second in Saratoga's Curlin S. July 21, broke through with a career high in Tuesday's GIII Smarty Jones S. at Parx.
Drawn widest of all in post eight, the 7-2 chance was hustled from his outside draw and raced three wide around the clubhouse turn. He sat a perfect, stalking trip from an outside third, made his move on the far turn, kicked for home as the one to catch, and, despite drifting out badly down the lane, was never in any serious danger late. It was three lengths back to Cagliostro (Upstart) in second; Daydreaming Boy (Goldencents) was third.
A well-beaten sixth in both the GII Fountain of Youth S. Mar. 4 and GI Curlin Florida Derby Apr. 1, Il Miracolo followed an optional claiming win at Gulfstream Park May 11 with a seventh-place finish in the GI Belmont S. June 10. He finished 3 1/4 lengths behind the GI Travers S.-bound Scotland (Good Magic) in the Curlin.
Pedigree Notes:
Il Miracolo becomes the 14th graded/20th stakes winner for leading young sire Gun Runner. The Gun Runner over Tapit cross is also responsible for GISW Society and GSWs Wicked Halo, Red Route One and Disarm. The winner's dam Tapit's World, a $175,000 purchase by Willow Oaks Farm at the 2015 FTKNOV sale, is also responsible for the 2-year-old colt Mister Cruiser (Catalina Cruiser) and a Vekoma filly of this year. She was bred back to Vekoma for 2024.
Tuesday, Parx
SMARTY JONES S.-GIII, $300,000, Parx Racing, 8-22, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:48.59, ft.
1–IL MIRACOLO, 121, c, 3, by Gun Runner
1st Dam: Tapit's World (GSP, $154,179), by Tapit
2nd Dam: Higher World, by Peaks and Valleys
3rd Dam: Sarah's World, by Holy Bull
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($75,000 Ylg
'21 KEEJAN; $190,000 RNA Ylg '21 FTKOCT; $70,000 2yo '22
OBSOPN). O-Eduardo Soto; B-Willow Oaks Stable LLC (KY);
T-Antonio Sano; J-Luis Saez. $166,500. Lifetime Record:
13-3-4-0, $311,625. *1/2 to Steinar (Union Rags), SP-Swe,
$152,495. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Cagliostro, 121, c, 3, Upstart–A Rosefor Isabelle, by Hard
Spun. ($385,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-David Ingordo, Talla
Racing, James Spry, West Point Thoroughbreds and Nice Guys
Stables; B-Lance Colwell & Janice Clark (FL); T-Cherie DeVaux.
$55,500.
3–Daydreaming Boy, 121, c, 3, Goldencents–Denali
Dreamscape, by Corinthian. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
($15,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $31,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $15,000
2yo '22 OBSOPN). O-Bran Jam Stable & David Clark; B-Hinkle
Farms (KY); T-Louis C. Linder, Jr. $27,750.
Margins: 3, 1 3/4, 8HF. Odds: 3.80, 3.00, 9.80.
Also Ran: Adero, Ninetyprcentmaddie, Army Times, Victory Way, Movisitor. Scratched: Salute the Stars. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
Luis Saez makes is a three-stakes night at Parx Racing as #9 IL MIRACOLO ($9.60) fends off his late challengers to win the Smarty Jones (G3). Son of @Three_Chimneys Gun Runner is trained by Antonio Sano
Watch more on @FanDuelTV and wager at https://t.co/nBYFHiPrdh pic.twitter.com/kzFGjiFaol
— TVG (@TVG) August 22, 2023
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
