OCEANPORT, NJ – Leaving no doubt who the best horse was, the powerful ownership consortium of Spendthrift Farm and partners saw their heavy 3-10 favorite, Bishops Bay, deliver a commanding performance to capture the $150,000 Grade 3 Salvator Mile on Saturday at Monmouth Park.
Under a confident ride from jockey Flavien Prat, the 5-year-old son of Uncle Mo demonstrated both class and grit, turning away a determined rival before powering away in the stretch to win by a decisive five lengths on the sloppy main track.
Breaking sharply from the gate, Bishops Bay immediately went to the front, where Nelson Avenue engaged him to his inside. The two raced as a team through swift early fractions of 22.81 for the quarter-mile and 48.20 for the half. Prat kept Bishops Bay off the rail in the two-path, dueling head-to-head with Nelson Avenue down the backstretch and around the far turn.
As the field approached the quarter pole after three-quarters in 1:12.35, Prat asked his mount for his best run. Bishops Bay responded generously, putting away the stubborn Nelson Avenue and quickly opening a clear advantage at the top of the stretch.
From there, the race was a one-horse affair. Bishops Bay extended his lead with authority through the lane, cruising under the wire in a final time of 1:37.16 for the one-mile distance, well in hand.
The victory, the first in graded stakes company for Bishops Bay, automatically earns him a free entry into the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup on the Haskell Stakes undercard on July 19.
Trained by Brad Cox, the bay horse showed the talent that has had him highly regarded throughout his career. While Nelson Avenue battled gamely to hold second, he was no match for the winner. Surface to Air, who saved ground throughout, rallied along the rail to finish third.
Scratched Horse(s): Antigravity (Trainer), Offaly Cool (Trainer), Vitality (Trainer)
Fractional Times: 22.81, 48.20, 1:12.35
Final Time: 1:37.16
Winning Connections
Winner: Bishops Bay
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Brad Cox
Owner: Spendthrift Farm LLC, Steve Landers, Martin S. Schwartz, Michael Dubb, Ten Strike Racing, Jim Bakke, Titletown Racing, LLC, Kueber Racing, LLC, Big Easy Racing LLC, Rick Kanter, Michael J. Caruso, and WinStar Farm LLC
Breeder: WinStar Farm, LLC
Bloodline: Bay Horse, by Uncle Mo out of Catch My Drift, by Pioneerof the Nile. Foaled Feb 25, 2020, in Kentucky.
Stallion Info: Uncle Mo stood at Ashford Stud (Coolmore America) in Versailles, KY until his passing on December 19, 2024.
Payouts
1st – (9) Bishops Bay – Win: $2.60 | Place: $2.20 | Show: $2.10
2nd – (7) Nelson Avenue – Place: $4.40 | Show: $3.40
3rd – (5) Surface to Air – Show: $4.20
Exotics: $1.00 Exacta (9-7) Paid: $5.10 | $0.50 Trifecta (9-7-5) Paid: $10.90 | $0.10 Superfecta (9-7-5-8) Paid: $7.89
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