Full Serrano and a class that helped him overcome a terrible start
- Turf Diario
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
The argentinian lost all of his chances at the start of the Oaklawn Mile Stakes (G2), but achieved a meritorious fourth-place finish, less than 3 lengths behind
HOT SPRINGS, Arkansas (Special for Turf Diario).— When things don't go well, they just don't go well. The Oaklawn Mile Stakes (G3-1,600m, dirt, US$ 500,000 purse) featured the Argentine star Full Serrano (Full Mast) as the top candidate for victory, and it seemed like the ideal spot to return him to the spotlight.
Following his great third-place finish in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) this January at Gulfstream Park, John Sadlertraveled to this city with the bay owned by Hronis Racing, in pursuit of purses far superior to those currently at Santa Anita Park and with victory firmly in his sights.
However, Full Serrano lost all of his chances following a dreadful start—he stumbled badly in a strange move—leaving him in last place, when it is well known that what he enjoys most is moving up front and strong. Faced with that eventuality, Italian jockey Antonio Fresu had no choice but to labor from behind, waiting for a miracle or to achieve the best possible result. As the announcer put it, "Doing something he’s never done before."
And indeed, the 2024 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner reacted, finishing strongly in the stretch to end up fourth, just 2 3/4 lengths behind Nu What's New (Munnings), who found the ideal moment to secure his first major victory, defeating by 3/4 of a length East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro), the Godolphin G1 winner who returned to action in great form.
The final furlong proved a bit long for him, which was logical given the effort, not to mention that he rounded the turn five-wide, as if he needed anything else to complete a dreadfully unlucky trip.
After the race, Fresu recounted: “So unfortunate. He stumbled really bad out of the gate and I think that cost him the race. That’s it. I thought he was much the best. The plan is to be either on the lead or sit in second because that’s his style. When I tried to break, the horse just stumbled behind and in front. Like, he stumbled a couple of times in a fraction of a second and I had to ride him from last, which is not easy to do on this track, especially when the winning post is down there (inside) because it’s a mile race. I tried to just make one run, but it was too much to do.”
Full Serrano lost a race that, under normal conditions, gave the impression he would have won, and now for Sadler and his team, everything will revolve around ensuring there are no physical issues with the Argentine horse.
Redemption will come soon because, clearly, the horse bred by Haras Gran Muñeca has more than enough class to continue fighting at the very top.
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