A late invitee to the Pegasus World Cup, Mika might just be a mighty fine longshot based on his recent form.
The 4-year-old comes into the race off a tough loss at the wire to Bishops Bay in the prestigious Cigar Mile (G2) at Aqueduct on Dec. 6.
And, after working 5 furlongs in a blazing 59.62 at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 17, trainer Mike Maker believes Mika is ready for the big time.
Mika had won two races previously, one at Delaware Park by 9 ¼ lengths (the race was moved off turf), the other at Laurel Park by 14 ¼ lengths for trainer Brittany Russell, before the owners moved him back to Maker, who trained the colt during his 2-year-old season.
A $42,000 buyback as a yearling, Mika again did not reach his reserve as a 2-year-old and was listed as a $22,000 RNA (Reserve Not Attained). Mika has won three of eight races, earning $214,664.
While more popular and successful older horses are in the field, Mika is the fourth choice on the morning line at 10-1 in a 12-horse field.
He’s a front-runner and might try to go gate-to-wire, although this will be tough to do as he stretches out to 1 1/8 miles for the first time.
In the Cigar Mile, he set a fast pace from the start but was caught near the wire and lost by a neck to multiple-graded stakes winner Bishops Bay, an original invitee to the Pegasus World Cup, but was withdrawn from consideration.
After the Cigar Mile, Maker said Mika ran “too good to lose, but considering the jump up in company, can’t complain.”
Manny Franco was aboard for the first time in the Cigar Mile and has the call again on Saturday.
A compelling longshot at 10-1 and the odds might be even more tempting by post time. Stepped up last race and might do it again if he can get the distance.
Notes: Considering his pedigree, it’s not surprising that Mika has been successful on dirt and turf. His sire, Catholic Boy, won the Belmont Derby (G1) on turf and the Travers Stakes (G1) in 2018 ... Nice Guys Stables is a racing partnership, with owners including Michael Dubb, Sanford Goldfarb, and Steve Spielman ... Under Mike Maker, Mika began his career on dirt, finishing seventh, 19 lengths behind the winner. He was moved to turf and broke his maiden in his second start and was 11th in the Juvenile Mile at Kentucky Downs. He was moved to Maryland-based Brittany Russell, ran twice on the turf and lost, won over a synthetic track at Delaware Park, and posted his 14 ¼-length win at Laurel on Nov. 16 in a 1 1/16-mile allowance.
Richard Rosenblatt is an award-winning journalist and former Associated Press Horse Racing Editor. Currently, he serves as the news editor at US Racing, overseeing exclusive content from contributors worldwide.
