NEWS
Midnight Lute is champion male sprinter
Posted: Monday, January 21, 2008 11:11 PM
2007 CHAMPION MALE SPRINTER MIDNIGHT LUTE
Sarah Andrew/Equi-Photo
In his two most memorable races, Midnight Lute flashed an eye-popping, jaw-dropping turn of foot as he captured the Forego Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course and the TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Monmouth Park in exactly the same fashion—blasting out of the turn, barreling down the middle of the track, and running down talented fields with ease.
Those two performances catapulted the speedy five-year-old horse to the Eclipse Award as champion sprinter.
By 1998 champion three-year-old male and Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Real Quiet, Midnight Lute got his chance to display his brilliance only very recently. It was a flash that left racing fans wanting to see more, and they should get that chance.
Midnight Lute will return to training in 2008 for owners Paul Weitman, Carl Watson, and Mike Pegram, a decision that puts the co-owners in the very rare company of those who choose to race instead of retire.
The horse ended his 2007 campaign with a loss, finishing 21⁄2 lengths behind talented three-year-old Daaher in the Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct, failing to display the furious kick which marked his two previous victories.
The 2007 season was a year in which many sprinters turned in brilliant races, but drew away from the herd. Midnight Lute got good at just the right time, and his speed figures earned in the Forego were the highest of any runner in 2007.
