Stimulate to Skip Cigar Mile as Mott Looks Toward Florida

This image was created entirely by AI with guidance from our editorial team.

Stimulate will bypass New York’s Grade 2 Cigar Mile after winning Saturday’s Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park by 7 1/2 lengths. Trainer Bill Mott plans to send him to Florida, where two-turn races at Gulfstream Park are under consideration, according to Daily Racing Form.

Dwyer victory delivers a 107 Beyer

Stimulate completed the one-turn mile in 1:33.64 and earned a 107 Beyer Speed Figure. The victory was his third in five career starts.

“It was a big race, I’m very proud of him,” Mott told Daily Racing Form.

Sea Strike finished second. Ted Noffey was fifth in his first start in 53 weeks.

Before the Dwyer, Stimulate finished third in the Bourbon Flight at Churchill Downs, a 1 1/16-mile race around two turns. Despite the decisive one-turn victory at Belmont, Mott believes Stimulate is better suited to two-turn races. Stimulate is out of Grade 1 Alabama winner Elate.

Gulfstream targets replace a Cigar Mile start

Stimulate is scheduled to ship to Mott’s winter base at Payson Park in Florida this week. A start in the Dec. 5 Cigar Mile is not planned.

Mott is considering the Grade 3 Harlan’s Holiday on Dec. 26 and/or the Pegasus Stakes on Jan. 30, both at Gulfstream. The Pegasus is viewed as the more likely target.

“Would he be possible for the Pegasus? Maybe,” Mott said.

Mott’s other stakes runners head toward 2027

Beauty Reigns and Answered Prayers will also head to Florida for their 2027 campaigns.

Beauty Reigns won the Pumpkin Pie Stakes by two lengths, earning a 94 Beyer Speed Figure. Mott said she may receive a vacation and not return to racing until April.

Answered Prayers finished second in the Grade 2 Mother Goose, 3 1/4 lengths behind Tap to Open. Capitol Hill is already in Florida, getting a freshening for a 2027 campaign.

More from playny.com – NYRA Releases Belmont Winter Condition Book With Higher Purses – New York-Bred Ogugua Wins Belmont Park Maiden Claiming Race – Buccherino Likely to Target Belmont Allowance After Bold Ruler Third

—

Source: As reported by Daily Racing Form.