COMMENTARY : Lite Light’s Legs Are Likely to Be Heavy

When M.C. Hammer tore off his leather shirt and danced his way to the winner’s circle at Belmont Park this summer, he and his family earned my vote for the Eclipse Award as owners of the year. In contrast with typical, sober horse owners who don’t seem to have fun even when they win, the Burrells brought a wonderful spirit of fun and exuberance to the game.

The rap star, his father, Lewis Burrell Sr., and his brother, Louis Jr., have made an impact on the sport only nine months after buying their first thoroughbred, but they still are neophytes and there are plenty of things they have to learn. And they may well learn an important lesson when the $1 million Super Derby is run at Louisiana Downs Sunday afternoon: When it comes to managing a horse, exuberance isn’t always a virtue.

The Burrells burst into national prominence after their well-timed purchase of the 3-year-old filly Lite Light, who blossomed into a star in the winter and spring, winning major stakes in California, Arkansas and Kentucky. Her showdown with the previous season’s champion filly, Meadow Star, in the Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont, was one of the most eagerly awaited races of the year, and Lite Light lost that exciting battle by a nose.

The filly bled slightly in the race, and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer took her back to California, presumably for a rest. But the Burrells wanted revenge. Hollendorfer sent Lite Light back to New York for a rematch with Meadow Star less than a month later. Lite Light’s smashing victory proved without a doubt she was the better filly and provided the occasion for Hammer’s victory dance.

Hollendorfer’s original instincts had been to avoid that rematch. He is an able and cautious horseman who didn’t want to ask too much of a filly who had already done so much. But he wants to keep his best clients happy, for his position as their trainer has always seemed a bit uneasy. Burrell Sr. broke into the racing game by buying a claiming horse in Northern California, where Hollendorfer is the kingpin trainer. But he he has not played often in the big leagues of the sport.

Perhaps it would have been a better lesson for the new owners if a tired Lite Light had run poorly in her second meeting with Meadow Star. They would quickly have learned about the old racing maxim that “you can’t squeeze the lemon” too often. But after their boldness paid off, they started looking for aggressive new moves to make with their filly. They suggested a special race pitting Lite Light against Strike the Gold and Hansel, the best males of her generation. Finally they settled on the Super Derby, where she would get to take on tough male competition.

Unfortunately, in a prep race at Del Mar earlier this month, Lite Light finished a dismal third against an ordinary field of fillies and mares. The cautious Hollendorfer said afterward the defeat “will affect some plans” about going to the Super Derby. But no plans were changed. Lite Light is in Louisiana to face the biggest challenge of her life just when her tough campaign may have begun to take a toll on her.