In a thrilling finish, Hunter Valley Farm’s Kentucky-bred A Mo Reay denied race favorite Fun to Dream by a head to win the $500,000 Beholder Mile (G1) at Santa Anita on Saturday, March 11.
Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Flavien Prat, A Mo Reay engaged Fun to Dream in the stretch of the one-mile event after ranging up four-deep turning for home. Following a stern battle through the lane, A Mo Reay gained the upper hand right on the wire to score in 1:36.25.
“She really dug in when it was time to run, and she was travelling well all around,” said Prat. “I watched her previous race and I talked to Brad (who watched the race from Oaklawn Park) and he was really high on her and wanted her in this race. He was right.”
A Mo Reay entered the Beholder Mile fresh off a victory in the Bayakoa S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 4. She closed out her 2022 campaign with a win in the Pago Hop S. at Fair Grounds in December.
“Brad has a great team, and they all did a fantastic job,” said Adrian Regan, who is part of the winning ownership of Hunter Valley Farm. “It’s the first Grade 1 in our colors, so it’s special. It is just great for the farm, everybody at home. It’s unbelievable, really.”
A 4-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo out of the Pioneerof the Nile mare Margaret Reay, A Mo Reay is now unbeaten in three starts for Cox. The recent win improved her overall mark to 11-5-1-3 and the $300,000 winner’s share of the Beholder purse increased her bankroll to $692,650. Bred in Kentucky by T & G Farm of Kentucky LLC, A Mo Reay is a $400,000 graduate of the Fasig-Tipton November Sale.