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Willyconker turns the tables to conquer Kilroe
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| Ex-claimer Willyconker outkicked Mr. Commons
(Benoit Photos) |
Martin Gardner, David Kenney and Michael Vielle's Willyconker settled for
second behind Mr. Commons in the Grade 2 Arcadia on February 4, but the reformed
claimer upstaged the heavy 4-5 favorite in their rematch in Saturday's Grade 1,
$300,000
Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita. Claimed by trainer Doug O'Neill for
$40,000 at Del Mar last August, the 10-1 shot bested Mr. Commons by a neck to
earn his first career stakes victory, and returned $23.20, $6 and $3.60.Unlike the Arcadia, where Willyconker rallied too late, the Irish-bred
gelding enjoyed a better tactical position for new rider Joel Rosario. Jimmy
Simms carved out splits of :23, :46 4/5 and 1:10 3/5, with Compari in close
attendance, and Willyconker well placed in third. Jeranimo was anchored in
midpack, but Mr. Commons was unhurried near the tail of the field.
As Compari forged his way to the front in the stretch, Willyconker went after
him, and wider out, Mr. Commons and Jeranimo were also set down for the drive.
Ironically, unlike his recent scrapes with traffic trouble, Mr. Commons had
clear sailing, but couldn't capitalize. Willyconker found the best turn of foot
to overtake Compari. Although Mr. Commons was finally galvanized, and began to
inch closer, he could not pass the resolute Willyconker. The upset winner
stopped the teletimer in 1:33 4/5 on the firm turf.
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"What a great ride -- that's why you use a guy like Rosario," O'Neill
enthused. "He just had him in a perfect spot and then as soon as they turned for
home, he got in the right line and just got it done."
"The race set up perfect for me today," Rosario said. "I just tried to lay in
behind the speed, save ground and make one run with him. He tried hard today to
beat Mr. Commons and ran a really good race today. I was very happy to turn the
tables on Mr. Commons today; my horse gave everything he had. I just tried to
run my race and see how far I could go."
Jockey Mike Smith believed that Mr. Commons ran well, but not quite up to his
best.
"He ran great -- I had an eighth of a mile to get by him, and I didn't do
it," Smith said. "That's pretty much what it is. He was a bit dull on his punch.
He's got a quicker turn of foot than that. He accelerated really well for about
three jumps, and then he kind of hung at that point, kind of idled.
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| Willyconker (center) sliced between Mr. Commons (left) and Compari (right)
(Benoit Photos) |
"I reached back and encouraged him a time or two with the stick, and that
didn't seem to help. He kind of pinned his ears back, and I went to a hand ride,
using the reins. But the winner never folded. They went a mile in 33, so I can't
complain. It was a good race. We'll just have to come back and see if we can get
them next time."Another length back in third came Compari, who held off Jeranimo by a
half-length. Jimmy Simms retreated to fifth, trailed by Massone, Mega Heat and
Make Music for Me.
Willyconker's coup has doubled his bankroll to $363,106 from his 20-7-4-1
line. First based in his native Ireland, the son of Pyrus captured two handicaps
over the Polytrack at Dundalk before coming to Southern California.
Willyconker's debut for Eoin Harty resulted in an eighth in the 2010 Harry
Henson, and he soon found himself descending into claiming company. He won at
the $32,000 level at Del Mar, stepped up to $40,000, and was haltered by O'Neill
out of a second-place effort.
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Seventh in his debut for the barn at the same level, Willyconker dropped down
to the $25,000 level and got back on the winning track at Santa Anita -- over
the same course and distance as the Kilroe. Now ready for a class hike, he
scored for a $40,000 tag at Hollywood Park, and romped in a $62,500 optional
claimer. Willyconker hooked a stakes-quality field in an $80,000 optional
claimer January 5 back at Santa Anita, where he was not eligible to be claimed,
and finished a solid second to Compari. That punched his ticket to the Arcadia
for his graded debut.
Bred by Islanmore Stud in Ireland, Willyconker was produced by the Trempolino
mare Arme Fatale. This is the family of Mill Native, the Grade 1 Arlington
Million hero of 1988; multiple Group 3 victor and classic-placed French Stress;
Italian Group 1 winner Terreno; English highweight older miler First Island; and
German highweight older stayer Caudillo.
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