Bishops Bay rallies for neck win in Cigar Mile

Bishops Bay added to an already eventful year for himself with a come-from-behind win in the $500,000 Cigar Mile H. (G2) at Aqueduct on Saturday.

Favored at 6-5 in the field of six, Bishops Bay collared long-time leader Mika inside the final sixteenth to win by a neck in a time of 1:34.62 over a fast track.

The Cigar Mile was the fifth stakes win of the season for the five-year-old, who accounted for the Forty Niner (G3) and Westchester (G3) in two previous starts over the track and distance. Bishops Bay also landed the Salvator Mile (G3) at Monmouth Park and the restricted American Pharoah S. at Oaklawn Park back in March.

In addition to his success on the track this year, Bishops Bay was also popular in the sales ring last month, when gaveled down for $1.3 million at the Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age sale. The Cigar Mile was his first start for new owner KAS Stables, Saudi-based connections who undoubtedly would like to see Bishops Bay invited to the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) in late February.

"The ownership wants to pursue that," trainer Brad Cox said. "If there's another race between now and then, I'm not certain. We'll see if this gets him directly in or exactly how we would get him in -- we'll have to talk to the Saudi Cup committee and see if they feel he's in as of now or would need another race."

Piloted in the Cigar Mile by regular rider Flavien Prat, Bishops Bay paid $4.40. Mika, a 14-1 chance who set a strong pace of :23.10, :45.72, and 1:09.63, was a clear second, 4 1/4 lengths ahead of Crazy Mason. The order of finish was rounded out by Phileas Fogg, Pentathlon, and Brazenly.

Bishops Bay has been a gem of consistency, with the Cigar Mile being his ninth win in 13 starts. He's been second three times, while his only unplaced effort was a sixth in the Forego (G1) at Saratoga following a stumbling start.

At three in 2023, Bishops Bay placed in the Peter Pan (G3) by a neck to eventual three-year-old champion Arcangelo and in the Ohio Derby (G3) to Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Two Phil's.

Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, Bishops Bay is an Uncle Mo half-brother to Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Catching Freedom. Both were reared by the stakes-winning Catch My Drift, by Pioneerof the Nile.