NEWS
Two-time Sprint winner Midnight Lute retired
Posted: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 5:11 PM
MIDNIGHT LUTE WINNING THE 2008 BREEDERS' CUP SPRINT (G1)
Benoit & Associates photo
Midnight Lute, the only horse ever to win the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) twice, has been retired and will stand the 2009 season for $20,000 at John G. Sikura’s Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Lexington.
The five-year-old Real Quiet horse, named 2007 champion sprinter following his 4 ¾-length victory in last year’s TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint for trainer Bob Baffert, won six of 13 starts with three second-place finishes and $2,690,600 in earnings in four seasons for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Weitman Performances.
"Midnight Lute is perfection in his conformation," Sikura said. "Big, long, beautiful, and perfectly correct. He is breathtaking to look at, and we expect him to be a top sire."
As a three-year-old, Midnight Lute won the 2006 Perryville Stakes (G3) at Keeneland Race Course. During his championship season, he won the Forego Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course prior to his impressive victory in the Sprint at Monmouth Park.
This season, Midnight Lute raced only twice, finishing tenth of 12 in the Pat O’Brien Handicap (G2) on August 24 at Del Mar before rebounding with a 1 ¾-length victory in the Sentient Flight Group Breeders’ Cup Sprint on October 25 at the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita Park.
"I've never had a horse like him," Baffert said following Midnight Lute's second Sprint triumph. "He showed today what a great horse he is. He's a beast—a massive, beautiful horse. The perfect Thoroughbred.
“He's the best I've ever trained. I can't put into words how good this horse is. All of my clients will be breeding their best mares to him, Silverbulletday and Tough Tiz's Sis for starters."
Midnight Lute will be available for inspection at Hill 'n' Dale beginning Friday.
