Trainer Brad Cox shared how Uncle Mo’s son is doing in the Dec. 6 $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G2) on Aqueduct racecourse will play a key role in deciding whether the recent signing will go to Saudi Arabia for the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) on February 14.
“The new ownership group wants to take him to the Saudi Cup and we need to give him a slightly stronger CV so he gets the chance to play in it,” Cox said. “This race has some weight and will help get his rating where it needs to be.”
An eight-of-12 winner starts with three seconds, the only underperformance in his previous exploits being a sixth in the August 23 Forego Stakes (G1).
The multiple Grade 3 winner was purchased by Saudi Arabia-based KAS Stables for $1.3 million at the Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale last month following a Nov. 2 victory in the Forty Niner Stakes (G3) at the Big A, which was contested at the same mile distance as Saturday’s handicap.
“He’s very consistent,” Cox said of the son of the WinStar Farm-bred Pioneerof the Nile mare Catch My Drift. “He was sold, but came back to us straight away. He has always trained well. He has put up a good post (post 7 in a field of seven) and that is a spot I like. He likes the distance and the course and we will see what happens.”
Two-on-two at Aqueduct and 3-on-3 at a mile, Bishops Bay was paired with the co-heavyweight of 125 pounds, along with Jupiter Stables’ Phileas Fogg .
A Backwards gelding Phileas Fogg will compete at a distance shorter than 1 1/16 miles for the first time since winning an optional claimer at Aqueduct on September 26, 2024.
He’ll come out for a moment Locked in the mile-and-eighth Woodward Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct on September 27 and won the Suburban Stakes (G2) at a mile-and-a-quarter distance on July 4.
“He is doing beautifully,” said coach Gustavo Rodriguez. “I think he’ll be fine with the cutback. A mile and an eighth or a mile and a quarter is better for him, but it is what it is. He won here by a mile, and I know it wasn’t a stakes race, but he ran well that day. We gave him a little break, and now it’s showtime.”
Donna Wight and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s Crazy mason who will be lugging 124 pounds is the opposite of Phileas Fogg. He stretches to a mile after racing at 7 furlongs or less in his last eight starts for trainer Gregory Sacco.
The Coal front The 4-year-old rallied for second in the 7-furlong Vosburgh Stakes (G3) on September 27 in his most recent start.
Winner of the 7-furlong Carter Stakes (G2) at the Big A in April, he was third in the Forego just ahead of the Vosburgh.
The field of participants also includes New Yorkers Doc Sullivan who captured a New York Stallion Series Stakes in his most recent effort. The son of Solomini trained by John Ortiz placed fourth in both the Vosburgh and Forego.
Submissions: Cigar Mile H. (G2)
Aqueduct Racetrack, Saturday December 6, 2025, Race 10
- Grade II
- 1m
- Filthy
- $500,000
- 3 years and older
- 3:37 PM (local)
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