Bowies Hero, winner of last year’s GII Mathis Brothers Mile, returned to the same course and distance to score the upset in Saturday’s GI Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita. The bay colt settled into midpack going into the first turn as What a View (Vronsky) and Om (Munnings) contested the early pace through fractions of :22.79, :45.56 and 1:09.11. Bowies Hero rallied along the inside of favored World Approval (Northern Afleet) nearing the stretch, but while last year’s turf champion was unable to offer any challenge, Bowies Hero found a seam between rivals and forged to the lead before holding off Next Shares late for the win.
Pedigree Notes:
Bowies Hero is the first foal out of the unraced Remembered. The mare’s colt by Shakin It Up sold for $65,000 at last year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She was bred to Runhappy in 2017. The mare is a half-sister to GISP Sister Girl Blues (Hold for Gold), dam of GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Firing Line (Line of David). Remembered is also a half to the dam of Grade I winner Sharp Azteca.
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