Adios Jojo Takes Longacres Mile Over Touchy Via DQ

For the first time in the 91-year history of the historic $125,000 Longacres Mile, the outcome was decided by a disqualification Aug. 16 at Emerald Downs. After a thrilling and elongated stretch run, Touchy, the 3-5 favorite, prevailed by a nose over 32-1 upstart Adios Jojo. The stewards, however, immediately lit the inquiry sign, and Kevin Orozco aboard Adios Jojo also claimed foul against Touchy alleging interference in the stretch. The three stewards deliberated several minutes before reaching a unanimous verdict—disqualifying Touchy and jockey Yedsit Hazlewood from first to second place. Adios Jojo was promoted from second to first and paid $67.80 to win. "The horses were head and head and (Touchy) came over on Adios Jojo," presiding steward Vince Funk said. "We felt the interference was enough to make the difference. It cost (Adios Jojo) the decision." Scoring his first Mile victory, Orozco said the verdict was just. "Both horses were battling to the last jump and my horse was really digging in, and then what happened happened," Orozco said. Trained by 33-year-old Howie Gibson for Chad Christensen and Josh McKee of Enumclaw, Wash., Adios Jojo was timed in 1:35.29 and earned $68,750 for the victory. A 4-year-old Oregon-bred by Smiling Tiger, Adios Jojo has an overall mark of 5-2-4 in 15 starts with earnings of $142,821. Adios Jojo and Touchy ran first and second the entire 8 furlongs, Adios Jojo setting splits of :23.23, :45.65, 1:09.34, and 1:21.88. Touchy engaged the leader in the stretch and appeared to finally have the measure of his resilient foe, but Adios Jojo refused to back down. Wesley Ward, trainer of Touchy, said it was a blow to have his lifelong dream of winning the Mile lost via DQ. "That was a tough one, but that's racing" Ward said. "I've coveted winning this race as everyone knows. It's a very tough way to lose." Owned by Three Chimneys Farm, Touchy was a strong favorite based on solid Midwest and East Coast races including stakes placings at Saratoga Race Course, Pimlico Race Course, and Turfway Park. He earned $25,000 to move his overall mark to 3-4-2 in 11 starts with earnings of $383,767. Slew's Tiz Whiz and jockey Frank Alvarado rallied for third place, 1 1/2 lengths back of the top pair. It's the fourth top three finish in the last five Miles for the 8-year-old gelding owned by Slew's Crew racing and trained by Tom Wenzel. Adios Jojo is only the third Oregon-bred Mile winner, and the first since Praise Jay in 1969. Gibson, the meet's leading trainer, had three wins Sunday including two stakes and said winning the Longacres Mile is a dream, especially with a horse running for a $25,000 claiming price last Memorial Day. "Even the experience of running in the (Mile) was great, just unbelievable," Gibson said. "After the last win, I knew Chad (Christensen) would appreciate running in the Mile. It's a great day."