ARCADIA, Calif. - Johannes rebounded from a ninth-place finish in his 2025 debut in the Grade 1 Fourstardave Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 2 with a cozy win as a heavy favorite in Saturday’s Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita.
The $200,500 City of Hope Mile was designed as a prep race for Johannes for the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 1. Last November, Johannes was second in the BC Mile. He will start in this year’s race as one of the leading domestic contenders, as he was last year.
On Saturday, Johannes ($2.40) closed from fourth in a field of six, and overcame a moment of trouble on the turn to, win by 1 1/4 lengths over 8-1 Cabo Spirit, who led in early stretch. The win gave Johannes a fees-paid berth to the BC Mile.
Johannes trailed by slightly less than two lengths with a quarter-mile remaining and left jockey Umberto Rispoli impressed with his stretch run, considering he was in pursuit of a slower pace than what is typical in most one-mile turf races.
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“It took two strides to get past Cabo,” Rispoli said.
“The more speed, 10 times better he will be.”
Johannes was timed in 1:34.13 (100 Beyer Speed Figure).
Rispoli said he had to briefly check Johannes with more than three furlongs remaining to avoid getting too close to Cabo Spirit, who was racing as a stalker.
Cabo Spirit, who has set the pace in many of his starts, was third for the first half-mile, following leader Zio Jo, who set a slow pace of 22.70 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.70 for a half-mile while being closely followed by Final Boss.
Cabo Spirit finished a head in front of 6-1 Almendares, who was followed by Zio Jo, Scoobie Quando and Final Boss.
Cabo Spirit was ridden by Mike Smith, who watched Zio Jo and Final Boss challenge for the early lead and opted for a more patient strategy.
“When I saw two of them go, I said, ‘Nuh-uh,’ ” Smith said.
Johannes, a 5-year-old horse by Nyquist, races for Joe and Debby McCloskey and trainer Tim Yakteen. Johannes won 5 of 6 starts in 2024, with all the wins in graded stakes on turf at Del Mar and Santa Anita.
Johannes was considered a candidate for the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park in January before he was sidelined with bone bruising. He returned to Yakteen’s stable in the spring.
Johannes has won 9 of 15 starts and earned $1,278,359. He is unbeaten in eight starts on turf at Santa Anita.
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