Kentucky-bred Formidable Man scored the second Grade 1 win of his career, rallying to win the $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) at Santa Anita on Saturday, March 1.
Winner of last year’s Hollywood Derby (G1), Formidable Man settled in mid-pack early. In the stretch, Formidable Man remained behind horses until inside the final furlong. Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, the son of City of Light launched an explosive bid along the rail to surge past the field in deep stretch. He prevailed by a half-length at the wire, stopping the clock in 1:34.57 for the one-mile distance. In his previous start, Formidable Man finished last after setting the pace in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25.
“A lot of things got wound up in Florida,” said winning trainer Michael McCarthy. “A lot of music, a lot of things going on Pegasus Day. A little bit of sensory overload for him. The horse has been good at a mile and an eighth. All credit goes to Umberto. He was patient, sat a picket trip, and looked for a seam. That is what top riders do.”
Rispoli said of the trip, “I needed a lot of luck when there were a lot of horses ahead of me.”
A Formidable Man on the Turf
Bred in Kentucky by Town and Country Horse Farms, Formidable Man is campaigned by William and Suzanne Warren. Formidable Man is now a winner in 6-of-12 lifetime starts with earnings of $817,425. The son of City of Light is out of the stakes-winning Silent Name (JPN) mare Fanticola (ON) and he was a $375,000 Keeneland September Sale graduate in 2022 where he was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency.
In addition to his latest score, Formidable Man owns wins in the Hollywood Derby (G1), Del Mar Derby (G2), and the Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar, all on the turf.