Cobalt Blue, who has done his best running close to the pace, flew home from last to win the $200,000 Select Stakes Oct. 27 on the Breeders’ Cup World Championships undercard at Monmouth Park.
Cobalt Blue, winner of the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park earlier this year, dropped back to last under Garrett Gomez as the early leaders set fractions of :21 4/5 for the first quarter-mile and :44 for a half-mile on a sloppy track playing very fast. Cobalt Blue swung widest of all from last at the top of the lane and blew by eight other 3-year-olds to get up comfortably at the wire.
Cobalt Blue raced with blinkers off; his other three victories came without blinkers.
E Z Warrior, who disputed the pace, held well for second, with late-closing Appealing Spring third. The time for the six furlongs was 1:10 2/5.
Cobalt Blue, owned by The Merv Griffin Ranch Co. and trained by Doug O’Neill, won for the third time in eight starts this year. The Select marked his first start on an off track.
Cobalt Blue was bred in Florida by Adena Springs. He’s by Golden Missile out of the El Prado mare Prado Star.
Cobalt Blue paid $26 to win, $12.40 to place, and $8.60 to show. E Z Warrior paid $4.80 and $4.80, while Appealing Spring returned $7.60 to show. The exacta returned $156, the trifecta $1,413, the superfecta (with Piratesonthelake in fourth) $2,892.30, and the pick three $1,622.