Artie Schiller added his tenth stakes winner of 2013 on Saturday when Slip and Drive captured a thrilling rendition of the $100,000 Japan Racing Association S. at Laurel Park (VIDEO). The victory was the first stakes win for the 4-year-old.
Artie Schiller, who is currently the leading sire of 2-year-old stakes winners in 2013 with five, will stand the 2014 season at WinStar for $15,000 LFS&N.
Slip and Drive was locked in a duel for the entire 1 1/16-mile trip over the Laurel lawn. Setting a pace of :50.70 seconds for the half-mile, Slip and Drive had Super Chunky right on his flank. That pair fought on together until mid-stretch, when Slip and Drive edged away, only to be engage by the late closer Roadhog.
Aided by the slow early pace, Slip and Drive had enough to hold on late, winning by a nose in 1:42.87.
Trainer McLean Robertson ‘s assistant Kyle Schindler said, “He ran a good race. We didn’t expect to get to the lead. Twenty-five and fifty were the fractions so what are you going to do? We kind of inherited it. This horse is always high energy. I expected a good race and we got one. We didn’t feel he was well respected at 22-1. He was only beaten five lengths by (2012 Horse of the Year) Wise Dan in a race at Keeneland (Shadwell Turf Mile, G1). I don’t know where he goes next.”
Slip and Drive is now 6-4-2 in 17 starts, earning $303,365 for owner Jer-Mar Stable LLC. Out of the Carson City mare The Green Owl, Slip and Drive is a half-brother to this year’s Northbound Pride Oaks winner Stoupinator.
