From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 26, 2020)–California-bred Lil Milo got a perfect waiting ride from Ruben Fuentes and responded with a 1 ¼ length win in Sunday’s $70,000 Clockers’ Corner Stakes at Santa Anita. Trained by Alfredo Marquez, the 5-year-old Rocky Bar gelding got 5 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:02.62.
Breaking from post position three in a field of seven older horses, Lil Milo was full of run while a comfortable third, about three lengths behind dueling leaders Bay Muzik and What’sontheagenda mid-way around the turn. Leaving the quarter pole, Fuentes angled three-wide turning for home quickly assumed command a furlong out.
“We had a perfect trip,” said Fuentes, who was aboard Lil Milo for the first time today. “I was behind those two speed horses and I thought the seven (Bay Muzik) would stop, so I waited until we turned for home and then we angled out. When I asked him, he took off and he was gone. It’s great to ride for Alfredo. He’s a great guy and he’s a great trainer.”
Most recently third in a 5 ½ furlong turf allowance on Dec. 29, Lil Milo was off at 6-1 and paid $14.20, $6.60 and $4.20.
“This horse has been so unlucky in some of his races,” said Marquez. Ruben was patient and he rode him great. I like the way he settled today and that’s a big credit to Ruben. He got him to relax and then finish, so it went perfect.”
Owned by breeder Dr. Jack Weinstein and Robert T. Cannon, Lil Milo, who is out of the Editor’s Note mare Solid Brass Cat, picked up $57,960 for the win, $12,600 of which came from the California-bred incentive fund, provided by the CTBA. In getting his first stakes win, Lil Milo is now 13-5-2-1 with earnings of $218,625.
Handled confidently by Joel Rosario, Ghoul, who defeated Lil Milo by 1 ¾ lengths here on Dec. 29, finished with a rush from next to last but was disqualified to fifth for interference in the stretch.
What’sontheagenda, who was beaten one length by Ghoul, was placed second and paid $6.80 and $4.40 while off at 7-1.
Ax Man, who checked in fourth, 1 ¼ lengths behind What’sontheagenda, was moved up to third and paid $4.60 to show.
Fractions on the race were 22.21, 44.72 and 56.47.
Live racing resumes with a seven-race card on Thursday with first post time at 1 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.