Mirai added to his sire Trappe Shot’s accolades when winning a spirited running of the $150,000 Bertram F. Bongard Stakes for New York-bred juveniles at Belmont Park Oct. 2. It was the second straight victory in as many career starts for the unbeaten chestnut colt.
A fast emerging sire of 2-year-old winners, Trappe Shot ranks among North America’s leading sires of juveniles. So far in 2016, eleven individual 2yo winners have represented Trappe Shot, including G3 Dwyer Stakes victor Fish Trappe Road.
Turning heads now is the undefeated 2yo son of Trappe Shot, MIRAI, who turned in a strong debut performance at Saratoga when stalking his way to victory in a six-furlong maiden contest. Despite being the most lightly raced horse in the five-horse Bertram F. Bongard Stakes field, Mirai went to post at odds of 2-5.
Trained by Chad Brown for Robert LaPenta and Madaket Stables, Mirai took over the lead early in the turn of the Bertram F. Bongard. The colt began to edge away in upper stretch, holding off rivals Haul Anchor and Pat On the Back in the drive to score a two-length victory. Mirai covered the seven furlongs in 1:23.62 and returned $2.80 to win.
“He was a little keyed up,” Brown said. “(Jockey) Jose (Ortiz) said he wanted to go and he didn’t want to fight him. Once he made the lead, he got a little green, but he still gave him a good kick.”
The Bongard is considered a prep race for the Sleepy Hollow Stakes at a mile at Belmont Oct. 24. Brown noted that the three weeks between races is a little quick, but he would consider it for Mirai, a $280,000 purchase at the OBS March sale earlier this spring.
Mirai’s dam, the Not For Love mare That’s Ok, is a full sister to stakes winner and G1-placed runner Forever Partners and a half sister to stakes winner Pal’s Partner.
Trappe Shot is Tapit’s top son at stud. Currently , he ranks #2 among 2nd-crop sires (behind Uncle Mo) by Graded Stakes Winners, Graded Stakes Horses and Grade 1 Stakes horses.