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Riviera in the winner's circle after winning the 2000 Atto Mile
2000 Atto Mile
 

Dateline: 9/10/00
By: Terence Dulay

On Sunday Bobby Frankel continued his domination of million-dollar races by winning the Atto Mile at Woodbine with Riviera. He was taking on a solid field of milers vying for Breeders' Cup berths. The French-bred son of Kris refused to load into the gate, delaying the start by at least 2 minutes, but once he was manhandled into the gate he was all business. Jockey John Velazquez settled him down in 9th early on and was 6th at the top of the stretch before making his winning move. Passing five horses, he took the lead with a furlong to go and held off the European invader Arkadian Hero for a nose victory as the 10.55-1 fifth choice in the wagering. 


Pgm  Horse              Jockey            Win   Place   Show
13   Riviera            Velazquez       23.10   10.90   7.30
 2   Arkadian Hero      Spencer                 24.90  11.10
 8   Affirmed Success   Chavez                          5.20

Winning Time:  1:33.18

$2 Exactor 13-2             441.20
$2 Triactor 13-2-8        4,432.20
$1 Superfecta 13-2-8-4   10,586.80
Results Chart from Equibase

Entries and background info
Post position draw


Riviera refusing to load into the starting gate. Jockey John Velazquez said "They keep the truck running to power the gate and he didn't really feel comfortable getting close over there. Once he got in he was fine."


Riviera finishing a nose in front of Arkadian Hero. Trainer Bobby Frankel said "I thought he had a good chance. He has good form and fires every time. He's a good horse. He's a strange horse in certain ways. He's a fighter."


The victorious team of Riviera and jockey John Velazquez. "Once he got to the lead, he started waiting. When the other horse came to him, it made him fight back. Now I know I'm better and next time we'll wait a little longer."


Riviera with the winner's wreath. Trainer Bobby Frankel noted "I've won three million dollar races in three weeks (Chester House and Skimming). It's a lot of fun. I don't smile too much but this keeps me smiling.


The winning connections with the Atto Mile trophy. Owner Edmund Gann said "It was a very competitive field and I'm more than overwhelmed by the win. He's very competitive. Bobby's done a great job with him."


Riviera in the paddock. Trainer Bobby Frankel commented "When he got seven pounds off (carried 117 lbs. in the race) I thought it would really help him. He's Breeders' Cup eligible and I hope we'll go there."


Eventual second place finisher Arkadian Hero, who lost by a nose. Jockey Jamie Spencer said "He lost the race leaving the gate. He lost five lengths. Obviously he's the best horse. He was 15 lengths off them after half a furlong. It was disappointing."


Third place finisher Affirmed Success, jockey Jorge Chavez up. "My horse ran good. I was happy with how he ran. At the quarter pole my horse was ducking into the hole. I had a hole for a little while and then when it was time to go I got him to the outside and he was flying."


1.95-1 favorite and fourth place finisher Ladies Din, with jockey Kent Desormeaux. "My horse tried really, really hard. The top three were just a little sharper today. I found the turf very yielding. We really tore the track up. But I still thought I had a chance in mid-stretch."


Godolphin representative Muhtathir with Mike Smith aboard, who finished 5th. "I had a great trip. I was right where I wanted to be at all times. We hit the front heading for home like I wanted to but we just couldn't hold them off."


On the undercard was the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes for the older fillies and mares which was won by Wild Heart Dancing with Nordican Inch second by 1 3/4 lengths and Skytrial a head back in third. Jockey Jorge Chavez said "I still had horse when we crossed the wire. When I asked, she exploded." Trainer Eugene Brajczewski, Jr. said "I felt confident at the top of the stretch because she's coming out of those 1 3/16 races at Arlington, I know coming for home, she'd be very tough to beat."
Results Chart


Also on the undercard was the Grade 2 Summer Stakes for the juveniles. The upset winner was Speed Gun, a son of Demaloot Demashoot, who went wire-to-wire. Jockey Emile Ramsammy said "It was a nice small field and he had it all his way. At the 70 yard pole I thought I was all alone by myself. My horse was kind of getting a little lackadaisical. But he dug in when it mattered most and got the job done."
Results Chart

Atto Mile and Canadian racing links:

On the Forum:

All photos by the author, Atto Mile logo courtesy of Ontario Jockey Club

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