by Steve Bailey

Midnight Lute looked beaten at the quarter pole before mounting a furious charge down the lane to capture the $1,832,000 TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) on Saturday at Monmouth Park.

The four-year-old Real Quiet colt out of the Dehere mare Candytuft won his second straight Grade 1 start following his victory in the Forego Stakes (G1) on September 1 at Saratoga Race Course.

Owned by Watson and Weitman Performance and trainer Bob Baffert's longtime partner Mike Pegram, Midnight Lute won for the second time this year and fifth time in his three-year career.

The victory also gave Baffert his second win of the day and fifth career Breeders' Cup triumph after taking the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) with Indian Blessing three races earlier.

"It's great to win another one with my old pal Mike here," Baffert said. "We're back in the saddle."

Pegram, who with Baffert campaigned Grade 1 winners Thirty Slews, Silverbulletday, Real Quiet, Captain Steve, and Pussycat Doll among others, earned his first Breeders' Cup victory since Silverbulletday won the 1998 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

"My relationship with Bobby has been well documented, but it's great to have partners like Karl [Watson] and Paul [Weitman]," Pegram said. "Now I've got someone else to pick up the check tonight."

Named for University of Arizona basketball coach Lute OIson, Midnight Lute looked hopelessly beaten as stakes winner Talent Search and Grade 1 winner Idiot Proof battled for the lead through a half-mile in :44.06. Still seventh of ten and more than eight lengths back around the quarter pole, jockey Garrett Gomez asked the colt to run and he responded with authority, rapidly gaining on the leaders as the field entered the stretch.

As the two pacesetters battled on the inside, Midnight Lute shot down the middle of the sloppy track, gaining ground with every powerful stride. He blew past the leaders and continued to the line for a 4 3/4-length victory, covering six furlongs 1:09.18.

"I really felt comfortable at the half and felt we had a good shot," said Gomez, who notched his second Breeders' Cup win of the day, having ridden Indian Blessing to victory in the Juvenile Fillies. "I made the decision to come around horses and Commentator took us out a little farther than I would have liked, but once I got him clear, he came on."

Idiot Proof finished second, followed another 1 3/4 lengths back by Talent Search, whose jockey, Ryan Fogelsonger lodged an objection against Idiot Proof and David Flores for some bumping during the long stretch duel. Stewards ruled the incident did not affect that outcome of the race, and the finish was allowed to stand.

"I told [the stewards] that the second-place horse came over on me down the stretch a little too early and that it really made me have to take hold of my horse and pull him outside," Fogelsonger said. "The difference between second and third is a lot more money for the owners."

Bred in Kentucky by Tom Evans, Macon Wilmil Eq., and Marjac Farm, Midnight Lute has won five of ten career starts and earned $1,550,600.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Steve Bailey is deputy news editor for Thoroughbred Times