Inspired Miracle easily obliged as the favourite in the three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($550,000-$450,000) call that included six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of four) and imported six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) over 7½ furlongs (1,500m).
The Jason DaCosta-trained Inspired Miracle broke well under jockey Robert Halledeen and chased Hecandance (Anthony Thomas) from second place down the backstretch. Inspired Miracle maintained his steady pace well until he went up and challenged Hecandance for the lead as they approached the distance.
Inspired Miracle surged to the front at the top of the lane and kept his lead in deep stretch to win the race by 6½ lengths. Hecandance was second, and Dodge This Link (Paul Francis) finished third in a final time of 1:37.2.
As to be expected, Inspired Miracle was claimed.
