By Jarrod Horak
In this horse racing handicapping video, I analyze the Grade 2, $500,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct Racetrack using Today’s Racing Digest past performances.
Cigar Mile field: 1 – Doc Sullivan (5-1), 2 – Mika (12-1), 3 – Pentathlon (10-1), 4 – Crazy Mason (7-2), 5 – Brazenly (30-1), 6 – Phileas Fogg (9-5), 7 – Bishops Bay (2-1).
The Cigar Mile (race 10) will be held at Aqueduct Racetrack on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
Cigar Mile Analysis
Doc Sullivan is a solid New York-bred colt. He competed in four state bred stakes races this year with two wins, a second, and a third. He was fourth in both graded starts at seven panels this year (G1 Forego, G3 Vosburgh). The 4-time local winner handles one mile (5 2-2-0) and an inside stalking tip is expected, but he is not guaranteed to start. He might run if the track is wet, or they might wait for the Alex Robb vs. New York-breds on Dec. 26.
Mika made the lead and aired by a combined 23 1/4 lengths in his last two dirt route starts for Brittany Russell and his numbers jumped up at Laurel last time. He cuts back in distance and returns to the Mike Maker barn, and he steps up in class and figures to attend the pace.
Pentathlon removed blinkers, stalked the pace, and easily won as the favorite in a local optional-claiming affair at one mile on Oct. 24. Shug MccGaughey’s sharp colt drilled a bullet for this on Nov. 21 and he will need to run faster against better foes.
Crazy Mason is a deep closer and he is enjoying a fine year (7 3-1-2). In his last five stakes starts, he won the local Carter (G2) in April, and he was third in the True North (G3), sixth in the Bing Crosby (G1), third in the Forego (G1), and second in the Vosburgh (G3). The 3-time local winner is 1-for-3 at one mile and will try to get involved late.
Brazenly has lost all 17 starts since winning at Del Mar August 2024. He is 0-for-13 with ten minor awards this year and seems outclassed.
Phileas Fogg adds blinkers, cuts back a furlong, and should be forwardly placed. He was part of the exacta in all five local starts including stakes wins in the Queens County and Excelsior. He made the grade in the Suburban (G2) at Saratoga in July and Joel Rosario is his new rider.
Bishops Bay is 8-for-12 with three runner-up finishes and he is 2-for-2 at Aqueduct and 3-for-3 at one mile. Flavien Prat guided the early-pressing type to his last five wins including Grade 3 tallies in the Westchester, Salvator Mile, and Forty Niner. Saudi-based KAS Stables bought this one for $1.3 million at the Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale last month, and a trip to the $20 million Saudi Cup is expected if he wins this event.
Cigar Mile Video