Awesome Gem broke out of the 11 post and ran down fan favorite Noosa Beach to win the Longacres Mile, Grade 3.
The 8-year-old gelding by Awesome Again halted Noosa Beach’s drive for a second consecutive mile victory. Awesome Gem had finished second last year to Noosa Beach in the mile, but ran to form today as the race favorite paying $5.20, $3 and $2.80.
David Flores was in the irons for trainer Craig Dollase and owner Terry Finley’s West Point Thoroughbreds.
The $200,000 purse paid $110,000 to the winner. Noosa Beach earned $40,000 and Posse Power in third won $30,000.
Awesome Gem was carrying 122 pounds and Noosa Beach 125. He won the race in 1:34.80 seconds.
Awesome Gem ran mid-pack until the far turn when he made his move on the leader, Noosa Beach.
Gallyn Mitchell, riding Noosa Beach, pulled over quickly out of the gate and moved to the front taking the lead at the quarter mile pole.
Awesome Gem took the lead in mid-stretch, but Noosa Beach fought back and appeared he might break to the front again until. As the finish line neared Awesome Gem drove ahead more than a length to bring in his first mile victory.
The 8-year-old Kentucky-bred tied Little Rollo, the 1951 mile winner, and Gigantic, the 1958 champion, as the oldest horses to win the Longacres Mile. The well-traveled gelding has a lifetime mark of 46-9-14-5 with earnings of $2,688,270.
“We’ve got something in common,” said the Southern California-based Flores, 43. “We’re getting old, but we’re still ticking.”
Gallyn Mitchell rode the winner in the $65,000 Emerald Distaff guiding Hard Way Ten to the winner’s Circle for trainer Doris Harwood and owner Herman Sarkowsky.
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