|
|
THOROUGHBRED BEAT SEPTEMBER 6, 2007 by James Scully Saratoga barrister -- LAWYER RON (Langfuhr) loves Saratoga. And Oaklawn Park. He would be very difficult to beat if the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) were held at either venue, and I'm not counting him out this year at Monmouth Park. But his prowess in Arkansas and upstate New York is remarkable. Following a track record-setting, 4 3/4-length romp in the Whitney H. (G1), Lawyer Ron returned five weeks later over the oval to win Saturday's Woodward S. (G1) in spectacular fashion. The track wasn't nearly as fast (the final time was two seconds slower), but the four-year-old was more impressive. The Todd Pletcher charge displayed his awesome turn of foot leaving the far turn, instantly turning a narrow lead into a comfortable cushion, and the chestnut was fun to watch rumbling through the stretch. He earned a better BRIS Speed rating (116) for the 8 1/4-length win than he did it in the Whitney (114). Lawyer Ron captured the Oaklawn H. (G2) by four lengths earlier this year and compiled three superb scores over the Hot Springs, Arkansas, strip last year. He registered a commendable, fast-finishing second to Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) contender Gottcha Gold (Coronado's Quest) in the Salvator Mile S. (G3) at Monmouth in June, but Lawyer Ron didn't run as big that afternoon as he has at Saratoga and Oaklawn in the past. Arizona's coach -- MIDNIGHT LUTE (Real Quiet) shipped to Saratoga late in the meet and worked four furlongs in a bullet :46 2/5 on August 27, the fastest of 75 workouts. That move signaled his readiness as the four-year-old colt ran his rivals off their feet in Saturday's Forego S. (G1). Rating close to the early pace in fourth, Midnight Lute glided past his rivals on the far turn and had sailed to a huge lead by the top of the stretch under a motionless Shaun Bridgmohan. BENNY THE BULL (Lucky Lionel) closed strongly for second, 9 1/4 lengths clear of third, but he wasn't able to threaten the ultra-impressive winner. Midnight Lute earned a 118 Speed rating for the 2 1/4-length decision. Off since a fourth in the Commonwealth Breeders' Cup S. (G2) in April, the Bob Baffert pupil looked much improved in the Forego. Late kicker -- Bill Mott won races in bunches with older, late-developing horses in the 80s and 90s. With a barn full of talented turf horses, he seldom saddled a first-out winner. Times have changed. The Hall of Fame conditioner is now firing on all cylinders with two-year-olds, winning with first-time starters as he proves very adept with precocious youngsters, and Mott captured his ninth training title at Saratoga, snapping Todd Pletcher's five-year run while winning 11 juvenile events. He could remember saddling only one previous runner in the Spa's premiere two-year-old race, the Hopeful S. (G1), and MAJESTIC WARRIOR (A.P. Indy) provided him with his first win. Now two-for-two, the Kinsman Stable homebred appeared well-beaten with a furlong remaining as READY'S IMAGE (More Than Ready) began to draw off from pacesetter MAIMONIDES (Vindication), but the colt kicked it in late with an amazing burst of speed, collaring Ready's Image yards before the wire and quickly opening up by 2 1/4 lengths. Majestic Warrior is bred to run long, and he's established himself as the early favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). His dam, Dream Supreme (Seeking the Gold), won the 2000 Test S. (G1) and Ballerina H. (G1) at Saratoga. Her dam, Spinning Round (Dixieland Band), won the 1993 Ballerina. That's three generations of Grade 1 Saratoga winners. Smokin -- There were no surprises in Sunday's Spinaway S. (G1). IRISH SMOKE (Smoke Glacken) was favored at 6-5 off a sharp debut score, and she ran like a champion at Saratoga, winning convincingly under Julien Leparoux. The Patrick Biancone-trained miss rated nicely until being given her cue and she kicked for home smartly. The late-running filly is bred for speed, so it will be interesting to see how she handles stretching out to two turns, but Irish Smoke will be tough to handle the rest of the year. She's very talented. 18-furlong wonder -- The 12-year-old gelding is getting old, but SIR DORSET (Vicksburg) can still put on a show. In 2003, he won a 2 1/4-mile starter allowance at Ellis Park by a staggering 43 1/4 lengths. He didn't race at the uncommon distance again until this Labor Day at Ellis, and was dismissed at nearly 9-2 against only three rivals. Bettors were likely turned off by his last three outings, three unplaced efforts versus similar company in one-mile and 1 1/8-mile races, but those distances are too short for Sir Dorset. Give him 18 furlongs. Sir Dorset strolled home 40 1/2 lengths on top.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
