Lea justifies favoritism in Commonwealth Turf

Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider's homebred Lea capitalized on a

textbook stalk-and-pounce trip to capture Saturday night's Grade 3, $117,100

Commonwealth Turf at Churchill Downs, and in the process, the lightly-raced

colt stamped himself as one to follow next year. Bet down to 5-2 favoritism off

his late-running third in the Grade 3 Hawthorne Derby last out, the Al Stall Jr.

trainee took up much better early position this time for new rider Brian

Hernandez Jr., and produced a strong kick down the stretch.

Lea, who was making just his fifth career start, dispatched a seasoned field

of graded stakes veterans. Among the vanguard passing the stands for the first

time, the son of First Samurai eased back slightly into a stalking spot on the

outside. Finale held a narrow lead from Casual Trick through an opening quarter

in :23 2/5, but inched clear of his pace rival through a half in :47 1/5.

By that point, Lea was on the march, and he drew up to Finale rounding the

far turn through six furlongs in 1:11 4/5. Despite a green stride or two at the

head of the lane, Lea soon stamped his authority and pulled away by three

lengths. Lockout was the first to rally, but could not make much of a dent on

Lea. Then King David erupted in deep stretch and gained ground boldly, but Lea

already had his first stakes victory in the bag, by three-quarters of a length.

After negotiating 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf in 1:42 1/5, Lea returned

$7.40, $4.20 and $3.60.

"He left there like he normally does, and he fought Brian just a hair, which

he does," said Stall, who now has a fantastic nine wins from 16 starters this

meet. "Once he came back to Brian, it was his race to win or lose. He opened up

and then started waiting, but that's what turf horses do, especially ones that

lay close."

"We had a clean trip," Hernandez said. "We knew he was fast, and so we wanted

to give him the best trip we could and stay out of his way. I was a good

passenger and, when I called on him, he spurted home pretty good.

"I definitely don't think we've seen the best of him," the winning rider

added. "He's got room for improvement and looks like he'll just keep getting

better and better."

King David proved his upset win in the Grade 1 Jamaica last out was no fluke,

and finished a clear second by one length over Lockout. Skyring checked in

another 2 1/2 lengths back in fourth. Next came Any Given Royal, Artest,

Finnegans Wake, Excaper, Quick Wit, Finale, Film Shot, Two Months Rent, Burn the

Mortgage and a tailed-off Casual Trick. The also-eligibles General Logan and Ol

Army didn't draw into the field.

Lea's resume now reads 5-3-1-1, $200,728, all compiled on turf. Unraced as a

juvenile, the chestnut was an encouraging second in his career debut over

Churchill's Matt Winn Turf on June 10. Lea won his next two starts at Saratoga,

wiring a July 21 maiden and rallying from a tracking position in an August 30

allowance.

The up-and-comer was expected to continue his progress in the October 13

Hawthorne Derby. The 3-1 favorite in his stakes debut, Lea dropped

uncharacteristically far back early, but closed well on the soft ground to grab

third. In an entirely different set-up on Saturday, Lea turned the tables on the

top two from Hawthorne, Two Months Rent and Film Shot.

Stall has his game plan for 2013 already in mind.

"He'll go to South Carolina and then prep for something in the summer, like

the (Grade 2) Firecracker (Handicap at Churchill Downs) and then go to

Saratoga," Stall said.

Lea hails from a productive turf family. The Kentucky-bred is the first foal

from the multiple stakes-placed Galileo mare Greenery, who is herself a

half-sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Grassy, most recently runner-up in the

Breeders' Cup Marathon; Group 2 heroine Lady in Waiting; Group 3 victor Savannah

Bay; and Group 3-placed Desert Destiny.

Others in the family include current multiple Group 2 queen Welwitschia, who

has also placed in a pair of South African Group 1s; Group 3 winner Tremar;

Patrol, a Grade 1-placed multiple stakes scorer; and the classy Stroll, winner

of the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill in 2004.

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