Breeders’ Cup Mile: Wise Dan rallies, repeats as champion

Wise Dan became the third repeat champion of the day as he surged late to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile going away.

He joined Groupie Doll, winner of the Filly and Mare Sprint, and Mizdirection, who took the Turf Sprint, as repeat Breeders’ Cup champions.

Wise Dan was seventh with a quarter-mile to go on the turf and made up enough ground to enter the stretch third, running on the outside. The 4-5 favorite then left no doubt through the stretch that he was the best on Saturday.

Jose Lezcano picked up the ride when Wise Dan jockey John Velazquez was injured in the Juvenile Fillies race. Secret Compass went down on the turn and Velazquez was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena to be checked out. He was scheduled to be released when doctors discovered internal bleeding and Velazquez underwent emergency surgery to remove his spleen. Secret Compass was euthanized on the track with a broken leg that could not be repaired.

For Wise Dan, it was the 19th win in 27 races .

The 6-year-old gelding, trained by Charles LoPresti, paid $3.60, $2.80 and $2.20. Runner-up Za Approval returned $8.40 and $5.80 while Silentio paid $9 to show.

“He stumbled at the break and I had to go easy with him for a while until he got his stride under him,” Lezcano said. “About the 5/16th pole, I could see I could make my move. He ran really great coming home.”

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