Gershwin calls the shots in Penn Mile

Improving colt Gershwin gained a first Graded Stakes win with a decisive victory in the Penn Mile, which was run as a G3 contest on dirt following rain at Penn National, USA, on Friday, 28 May.

The three-year-old half-brother to Mystic Guide, who is also trained by Michael Stidham, broke smartly and raced in a clear third as Sibelius and The King Cheek set steady fractions in front.

Gershwin stayed on well turning for home and took up the running approaching the final furlong before striding out strongly under Joe Bravo for a two-length verdict on a sloppy track.

Michael Stidham said: “It was fantastic to see Gershwin step up against solid Stakes-winning horses and perform like he did.

“Obviously, we were looking to try him on the grass but he won his maiden on an off-track and we knew Mystic Guide and their dam Music Note had both won on wet tracks, which gave us confidence.

“On the back of this, there are races like the Iowa Derby and the Indiana Derby that we will certainly take a look at. There are so many good races for three-year-olds on the dirt that it would be sensible to continue on the surface and see how he runs on a dry track as well.”