Emerald Downs: Five Star General Wins Thrilling Longacres Mile
(August 21, 2022 – Emerald Downs, WA) In a nail-biting finish, Five Star General surged past Clovisconnection to claim victory in the 89th running of the $150,000 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs on Sunday.
The 8-year-old gelding, ridden by jockey Joe Bravo, covered the mile distance in 1:34.98 and paid $4.22, $3.18, and $2.44 as the betting favorite. Trained by Grant Forster for owner Ken Alhadeff of Elttaes Stable in Seattle, Five Star General’s win marked Forster’s third Longacres Mile triumph.
This victory adds another chapter to Five Star General’s impressive resume, as he joins an elite group of two-time Longacres Mile champions, including Amble In, Simply Majestic, Trooper Seven, and Stryker Phd. Even more remarkably, the Kentucky-bred by Distorted Humor has now finished first, second or third in the last five runnings of the prestigious race. At 8 years old, he also becomes just the fourth horse aged 8 or older to win the Longacres Mile, following Little Rollo, Gigantic, and Awesome Gem.
“I’m over the moon for Five Star General,” Forster said. “He’s every trainer’s dream and has earned his place in Mile history.”
The race was anything but easy for Five Star General, who was four-wide around the first turn and languished in sixth place on the backstretch before mustering a late surge to catch Clovisconnection at the wire. Jockey Joe Bravo, riding the 5,673rd winner of his career, praised Five Star General’s determination.
“This horse is a warrior,” Bravo said. “He overcame everything to win today.”
Clovisconnection, trained by Blaine Wright and ridden by William Antongeorgi, set the pace but just missed the victory, finishing second and returning $6.36 and $4.82. Slew’s Tiz Whiz, with Jose Zunino in the saddle, rallied late to finish third.
With this hard-fought triumph, Five Star General improved his career record to 13 wins, 9 seconds, and 6 thirds from 39 starts, boosting his earnings to $902,202. Winning owner Ken Alhadeff was ecstatic, saying:
“The Thoroughbred is about courage, beauty, strength and power, and the will to overcome the odds. This horse and jockey willed this win today.”
The victory was worth $82,500, and Alhadeff hinted that the beloved Eight-year-old may be headed for retirement after his latest Longacres Mile heroics.
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