Millennium Farms’ Student Council stalked the pace at the rail, staying just off leader Jonesboro through three-quarters, which was run in 1:15.86. After a mile, the son of Kingmambo-Class Kris was still a length-and-a-half behind, but jockey Richard Migliore began a four-wide move around the final turn and took a narrow advantage at the top of the stretch.
Migliore, who won both graded stakes on the Hawthorne card, sent Student Council down for the stretch run and put away Jonesboro in deep stretch, pulling away for a 1 1/4-length victory as the 3-2 second choice. Jonesboro held second, ahead of betting favorite A.P. Arrow, who rallied late to get third.
“I was just a good passenger. He’s a pushbutton horse, real professional and well prepared. Just a pleasure to ride,” said Migliore. “The fractions were a little soft but he came home in 24:1 and he ran to the wire. I thought his effort was real strong.”
The 1 1/4-mile was run in 2:05.00. Student Council, who has now earned more than $1.1 million, paid $5.20 to win. The exacta (6-3) was worth $18.40.
Before the Gold Cup, Student Council was a shocking 23-1 winner in the Aug. 19 Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar, rallying down the stretch to overtake a host of rivals, including fan favorite Lava Man. Bred in Kentucky by W S Farish, Student Council was labeled by some as a “one-hit wonder,” as the California win was the 5-year-old's first stakes triumph in 21 career races.
The Gold Cup was the first race Student Council tried for new trainer Steve Asmussen, who took over for Cerin Vladimir after the Pacific Classic. Asmussen was pleased with his new charge, saying, “He’s always shown a lot of class. Vladimir (Cerin) did a great job of preparing him for this race and Richie gave him a great ride. It set up in favor for him from the from the post draw to everything else.”
Asmussen was noncommittal about Breeders' Cup plans for Student Council.
Extreme Supreme was scratched.
Chart
, Equibase)