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Lawyer Ron rewrites record books in Whitney
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Lawyer Ron booked his ticket to the Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday
(Joseph DiOrio/Horsephotos.com) |
Hines Racing LLC's LAWYER RON (Langfuhr) breezed by pacesetter Wanderin Boy
(Seeking the Gold) turning for home and cruised home a most impressive 4 3/4-length winner of the $810,000
Whitney H. (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday. The Todd
Pletcher trainee set a new track record when completing the 1 1/8 miles in a
remarkable 1:46 3/5 under the guidance of John Velazquez. Sent off as the 5-1
third choice, the four-year-old returned $13, $7.70 and $5.30 while keying exotics
of $388.50 (exacta), $3,034 (trifecta) and $37,820 (11-5-9-4 superfecta).
Wanderin Boy was aggressive from the start and led the group through splits
of :23 4/5, :47 1/5 and 1:10 1/5 for the opening six furlongs, with Fairbanks
(Giant's Causeway) in close attendance. Lawyer Ron, who was in post 10 of the 11-horse field, was alert from the opening bell and found himself in good position
while third on the outside, never more than 1 1/2 lengths from the leader.
The pacesetter continued to lead approaching the final turn but Velazquez had
yet to urge his mount and appeared ready to go by the leader. Lawyer Ron clocked
the mile in 1:34 1/5 prior to posting his record-setting time.
"It actually worked out great," Velazquez said of the wide draw. "The
post position didn't really hurt him. I knew he was fast enough to
overcome it. It was just perfect after they hit the first turn. I was
surprised that no one was closing, but I wasn't going to wait. My horse
just exploded, he ran great."
"We were able to get to the first turn and get position, and that was
the real key to the race," Pletcher agreed. "Not only to win it, but to
win it the way he did and set a new track record, it was pretty awesome.
The Whitney, historically, is such a great race. Did I expect him to break Left Bank's track record? Nah, I though that
would stand for a little while."
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The previous track mark of 1:47 was shared by the Pletcher-trained Left Bank,
winner of the 2002 Whitney, and Tri Jet, who captured the 1974 Whitney.
Wanderin
Boy, the 29-1 longest shot on the board, was one length clear in second in a
fine runner-up effort and returned $25.20 and $14. Diamond Stripes (Notebook) rated in good
striking range early but could not reel in the top pair, settling for the show
as the 5-1 second choice and paying $5.30 in the process. Fairbanks (Giant's
Causeway) tired to fourth to cap the super at 13-1.
Dry Martini (Slew Gin Fizz) was another length back and trailed by 4-1 choice
Magna Graduate (Honor Grades), Flashy Bull (Holy Bull), Brass Hat (Prized), Papi
Chullo (Comeonmom), Sun King (Charismatic) and Awesome Twist (Awesome Again).
Student Council (Kingmambo) was withdrawn.
Lawyer Ron increased his bankroll to $2,340,008 from a 23-11-3-4 lifetime
mark. The chestnut was a furiously rallying second in the Salvator Mile H. (G3)
last out, which followed a third in the Metropolitan H. (G1) two prior. For his
career, the talented colt owns tallies in the Oaklawn H. (G2), Arkansas Derby
(G2), Rebel S. (G3), Risen Star S. (G3), Southwest S., St. Louis Derby and
Diamond Jo S., in addition to a runner-up finish in the Super Derby (G2).
Bred by James T. Hines Jr., the winner is the first stakes hero out of
Donation (Lord Avie), who has produced a two-year-old filly named Ron's Lady and
an unnamed yearling filly, both by Elhayq (Ire), as well as an unnamed 2007 colt
by Smarty Jones.
"We'll look at the (September 1) Woodward (G1) if he bounces out of this
well," Pletcher added. "Obviously, we want to go to the (October 27) Breeders'
Cup Classic (G1) and we want to figure out the best way to do it."
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