PLAIN SAILING FOR GROUP 1 SON OF MIZZEN MAST

Article taken from the Daily Racing Form online by Steve Andersen


It has taken 11 weeks for Midships (MIZZEN MAST) to become the undisputed leader of the California turf male division.

After winning two Grade 2 stakes at Santa Anita - the San Luis Rey and San Juan Capistrano handicaps – Midships (MIZZEN MAST) won the most prestigious race of his career in Saturday's $300,000 Charles Whittingham Handicap at Hollywood Park.
The Whittingham was Midships's (MIZZEN MAST) first career victory in a Grade 1.

"He's just getting better and better," said Humberto Ascanio, trainer Bobby Frankel's top assistant in California.

Midships (MIZZEN MAST) won the Whittingham by a half-length over a fast-closing Globetrotter. Artiste Royal, the winner of the 2008 Whittingham, finished third, beaten two lengths in the field of six.

Midships (MIZZEN MAST), who was sent off favored, stalked pacesetter Liquidity through a slow pace of 25.44 and 49.15 seconds, trailing by as little as a length and as much as 2 1/2 lengths on the backstretch. Jockey Victor Espinoza guided Midships (MIZZEN MAST) closer to the front on the final turn and took the lead in early stretch.
"Victor said he was a little keen on the first turn and on the second turn was more relaxed," Ascanio said. "They went slow and that's why he had such a hold. He had a lot in the tank."

Owned by Juddmonte Farms, Midships, a 4-year-old colt by MIZZEN MAST, has won 5 of 15 starts and $525,830. In England, he had two wins in 10 starts

Date: 06 June 2009