BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Sixth in the $247,000 Kentucky Juvenile at Churchill Downs in his previous race, Resolute Racing’s Mensa redeemed himself with authority by taking the US$93,146 Victoria by six-and-a-half lengths at Woodbine Friday. Originally scheduled for July 14 when Woodbine officials canceled racing due to weather, the Victoria featured a field of six 2-year-olds going five-and-a-half furlongs on the synthetic main track.
Sent to the post as the 8-5 second choice behind stablemate Into Diamonds at 6-5, Mensa broke swiftly from post two and went straight to the front. Jockey Patrick Husbands had Mensa a length-and-a-quarter in front of Shadow Factor in second with Sol de Verano a head farther back in third on the rail as they finished the first quarter mile in :22.80. Mensa increased his lead to two lengths around the turn and was nearly four length clear turning for home. Into Diamonds moved into second on the outside of Shadow Factor in deep stretch but could not catch Mensa, who won with ease by seven-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:04.60.
Into Diamonds was second, a nose in front of third-place finisher Shadow Factor. Empower, Your Valentino and Sol de Verano completed the order of finish.
“He was doing really well in the morning, not fast, but trying to figure out if he had to be on the lead,” Husbands said. “And every time I worked him, he showed me that he has to be on the lead, you know. But he’s showed he’s a nice little horse.”
Mensa is owned by John Stewart, who runs in the name of Resolute Racing.
“He started pulling away and I was like, ‘This is awesome,’” Stewart said. “I know there are different tactics for different horses, but he ran a great race. He really did it easy. We’re seeing some good things out of him. We’re really excited for what is next in store.”
Mensa paid $5.30 to win.
Mensa is a dark bay or brown ridgling by Complexity out of Lady Halite, by Medaglia d’Oro and was bred in Florida by Beth Bayer. He is a half-brother to multiple stakes-winning Florida-bred Recruiter and stakes-placed Florida-bred Miss Sayley. Lady Halite was bred to Nashville in 2023.
Bayer consigned Mensa to the 2023 Ocala Breeders’ Sales October Yearling Sale where D. J. Stable purchased him for $135,000.
Trained by Mark Casse, Mensa was authoritative in his first career start, winning by three lengths against special weight maidens going four-and-a-half furlongs at Gulfstream Park on April 12. He then sold to Resolute Racing for $740,000 out of a Fasig-Tipton Digital Sale on April 29 but remained in the Casse barn. Mensa disappointed in his next start in the five-furlong Kentucky Juvenile on May 2.
Mensa has now earned $102,007 in his three starts.
He is the 17th Florida-bred winner of the Victoria joining Big Drink of Water in 2018, Conquest Whiplash (2013), Madam Diaries (2010), Olredlgetcha (2009), Southern Exchange (2008), Flameco (2004), El Ruller (2002), Expected Ruler (2001), Erlton (1998), Torgan (1997), Gomtuu (1995), Dances With Fire (1992), Honey’s Answer (1984), Solo Guy (1980), Ring Francis (1966) and Bright Objects (1964).
Florida-bred Cut the Dust Debuts With Impressive Score in Woodbine Maiden Special Weight
Florida-bred Cut the Dust was impressive in his first start as he defeated special weight maidens by six-and-a-half lengths two races after the Victoria at Woodbine Friday.
The chestnut son of Not This Time took a half-length lead through a :22.48 quarter mile in the five-and-a-half-furlong test on the synthetic main track before pulling away from his rivals around the far turn under jockey Sahin Civaci.
Trained by Josie Carroll, Cut the Dust stopped the teletimer in 1:03.68 and paid $4.80 as the 7-5 favorite. Scorching was second with Shadow Realm third.
Cut the Dust is out of Embur’s Zip, by City Zip and was bred in Florida by Bridlewood Farm. He earned US$31,596.
Cut the Dust was a $300,000 yearling purchase by current owner Pin Oak Stud out of the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale where he was consigned by Denali Stud.
