NEWS
Lattice gets first stakes win in American Derby
Posted: Saturday, July 21, 2007 8:20 PM
LATTICE
Four Footed Fotos photo
by Ron Parker
Lightly raced Lattice, benefiting from a well-timed ride by jockey Robby Albarado, rallied in the stretch to post a three-quarter-length victory on Saturday in the $250,000 American Derby (G2) at Arlington Park.
Bred by Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider, who own Lattice in partnership with Seth Hancock, the three-year-old Arch colt settled into fifth in the 1 3/16-mile American Derby as Lovango set the pace on turf rated as good through fractions of :23.05 and :47.02.
As the field bunched up entering the stretch, Albarado angled his mount outside and Lattice closed willingly for the victory, crossing the finish line in 1:54.85.
“I had a great trip,” Albarado said. “I had an outside spot. I was able to punch on him when I needed to. They stretched the race out so much turning for home—he kicked all right. He’s a nice colt. He’s been getting better every time.”
Trainer Bill Mott saddled his third consecutive American Derby winner with Lattice’s victory. Mott won the 2005 edition with Purim and last year sent out Union Avenue to a victory in the American Derby.
Going Ballistic made a late run from near the back of the nine-horse field to take second, 1 1/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Eighteenthofmarch.
“My horse broke well and I got him to relax real nice,” said Cliff Berry, who rode Going Ballistic. “I started making my move and we got jammed up a little and I was stuck for a second before I could get out. It might have been enough to cost me the race. He ran real hard.”
Pleasant Strike, sent off as the 8-to-5 favorite, finished fourth.
Lattice entered the American Derby off a fourth-place finish on June 16 in the Jefferson Cup Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs in his stakes debut.
Out of the Rahy mare Lateral, Lattice improved to three wins and one runner-up finish in five career starts and increased his earnings to $219,699.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Ron Parker is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer
