NEWS
Summer Doldrums scores first stakes win with convincing Whirlaway romp
Posted: Saturday, February 10, 2007 5:56 PM
SUMMER DOLDROMS
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
by Mike Curry
Summer Doldrums posted his first career stakes victory with a convincing 5 1/4-length romp in the $70,070 Whirlaway Stakes on Saturday, stopping Lawrence the Roman's Triple Crown trail bandwagon before it ever got rolling.
Trained by Richard Violette Jr. for owners Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence, Summer Doldrums dueled with Sports Town for the lead through six furlongs in 1:11.35. Previously undefeated Lawrence the Roman, sent off as the overwhelming 1-to-2 favorite in the six-horse field, tracked the pace from three wide in third.
Lawrence the Roman made a brief bid on the turn but faded to finish fifth in his first start since IEAH Stables purchased a majority interest in the bay Point Given colt earlier this week.
Summer Doldrums, ridden by Mike Luzzi, and Sports Town distanced themselves from the field leaving the turn, where Summer Doldrums kicked into another gear. The dark bay or brown Street Cry (Ire) colt powered resoundingly clear as the 3.65-to-1 second choice and completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.23 over a fast main track.
“He finished up nice,” Luzzi said. “He’s pretty handy and Rick [Violette] really likes him. He galloped out all the way around the turn.”
Sir Whimsey closed willingly to edge third-place finisher Sports Town by three-quarters of a length.
Summer Doldrums closed his juvenile campaign with a disappointing seventh-place finish in the Remsen Stakes (G2) on November 25 but rebounded with an authoritative 8 1/2-length romp in an allowance/optional claiming race on January 12 at Aqueduct.
“I was devastated by his Remsen,” Violette said. “I’m glad he’s reinforced the talent we thought he had. He’s won three of his last four starts now. Probably next is the Gotham [Stakes (G3) on March 10 at Aqueduct]. …He was pretty impressive.”
Bred in Kentucky by Gentry Stable, Summer Doldrums improved to three wins from six starts and boosted his earnings to $110,276. He is out of Dance for Dixie, by Unaccounted For.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor
