No one who saw it will ever forget it. Coming into the 2012 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. I) at Keeneland, Wise Dan was already a proven winner of multiple grade I races, but it was his performance at Keeneland that stamped him as a potential superstar. After tracking quick fractions set by Silver Max, Wise Dan surged into the lead at the top of the stretch, drawing away with amazing ease to open up a commanding advantage over his talented rivals. Although geared down at the finish, he still won by two lengths as the 3-5 favorite, and would later add the Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. I) to his record for the season en route to honors as the 2012 Horse of the Year.
