‘Rising Star’ Bishops Bay Relentless in Cigar Mile, Overhauls Mika Late to Score

[Wandering Eyes]

It took the length of the stretch, but Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo–Catch My Drift, by Pioneerof the Nile) closed the gap on the longshot to claim the GII Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct.

Stalking the early pace set by 14-1 chance Mika (Catholic Boy), the 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' was never too far off from that loose leader, but had his work cut out for him when they swung for home. The leader refused to come back, and it took a relentless drive from Bishops Bay to overhaul that one, but he did so in the shadow of the wire.

Bishops Bay is two races shy of enjoying a perfect record this season–that lone off the board finish coming in the GI Forego Stakes Aug. 23 at Saratoga and his lone runner-up effort coming at his '25 opener at Oaklawn Park. He was last seen Nov. 2 winning the GIII Forty Niner Stakes to claim his spot in the gate for this contest.

 

A big win for BISHOPS BAY! He takes the Grade 2 Cigar Mile Handicap under Flavien Prat for trainer @bradcoxracing, and has now won 6 of his last 7 starts. pic.twitter.com/FQk3ReDt1d

— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) December 6, 2025

Saturday, Aqueduct
CIGAR MILE H.-GII, $500,000, Aqueduct, 12-6, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:34.62, ft.
1–BISHOPS BAY, 125, h, 5, by Uncle Mo
1st Dam: Catch My Drift (SW & GISP, $280,540), by
              Pioneerof the Nile
              2nd Dam: Drift to the Lead, by Yonaguska
              3rd Dam: Drifa, by Tabasco Cat
($450,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $1,300,000 5yo '25 KEENOV).
O-KAS Stables; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox;
J-Flavien Prat. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'
$275,000. Lifetime Record: 13-9-3-0, $977,800. *1/2 to
Catching Freedom (Constitution), GSW & GISP, $1,418,302;
1/2 to Strava (Into Mischief), MSP, $472,326.
Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free
Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Mika, 118, c, 3, Catholic Boy–History Supreme, by
Speightstown. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
($42,000 RNA Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $22,000 RNA 2yo '24
OBSMAR). O/B-Nice Guys Stables (KY); T-Michael J. Maker.
$100,000.
3–Crazy Mason, 124, c, 4, Coal Front–Izshelegal, by Maria's
Mon. ($20,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $27,500 Ylg '22 EASOCT).
O-Donna Wright and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing;
B-Gmbracstables LLC, Mr. & Mrs. Ramon Rangel & Mr. &
Mrs. Zachary Madden (KY); T-Gregory D. Sacco. $60,000.
Margins: NK, 4 1/4, 2. Odds: 1.20, 14.82, 3.01.
Also Ran: Phileas Fogg, Pentathlon, Brazenly. Scratched: Doc Sullivan.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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