Riva Ridge BC

Lost in the Fog (right) had clear sailing in the Riva Ridge (Jim Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com)

Harry J. Aleo's LOST IN THE FOG (Lost Soldier) remained unbeaten, but it

didn't come easy in Saturday's $170,000

Riva Ridge Breeders' Cup S. (G2). The

Greg Gilchrist trainee had already displayed plenty of class with easy victories

in his first six starts, but the prolific three-year-old had to show his heart

in order to repulse the bid of Egg Head (Honor Grades) through the long Belmont

Park stretch. He eventually pulled clear to win by 1 1/4 lengths, negotiating

seven furlongs in a quick 1:21 2/5 over the lightning-fast track.

"I think this was his toughest race," Gilchrist said. "I could tell by the

way he came back that he was tired. They softened him up a little bit, but

believe me, their tongues were hanging out trying to catch him."

Tani Maru (Cherokee Run) sprinted to the lead after the break but was

quickly caught by Lost in the Fog, who set the opening split in :22 1/5 with

Going Wild (Golden Missile) and Middle Earth (Dixieland Band) closely tracking to his outside.

The half-mile went in :44 2/5 as Going Wild began to fade, and Middle Earth

swung out to challenge the 2-5 favorite in upper stretch. Lost in the Fog

eventually put away that foe, but Egg Head threatened to run past as he closed

determinedly on the outside. Lost in the Fog dug down gamely to hold his rival

at bay.

The winner paid $2.80, $2.40 and $2.10, and Egg Head, the 9-2 second choice,

was good for $3.30 and $2.50. Middle Earth finished another 2 1/2 lengths back

at 27-1 and returned $3.30. The exacta totaled $7.40, and the 2-6-5 trifecta

$58. Survivalist (Danzig), Proud Accolade (Yes It's True), Going Wild, War Plan

(Fusaichi Pegasus) and Tani Maru rounded out the order of finish.