Midnight Lute Looks for Success Outside the State
Midnight Lute, a winner of two of three in California, will make his Keeneland and graded stakes debut in the $200,000 Perryville today in Lexington, Ky.
Trained by Bob Baffert, the 3-year-old Real Quiet colt is one of a dozen scheduled to run about seven furlongs in the Grade III.
Sidelined by an injury after breaking his maiden at 4-5 in his debut July 25, 2005, at Del Mar, Midnight Lute, who was purchased for $70,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale in 2004, was second in his comeback race on July 28 at Del Mar, then won by daylight less than a month later as the 11-10 choice.
Victor Espinoza, who was aboard for the two races during the summer, has the call again today.
Court Folly, carrying 123 pounds, is the high weight. Trained by Ian Wilkes for owner Robert T. Manfuso, Court Folly, a 3-year-old Royal Academy gelding, has won three of 12, including a 10-1 upset over Songster and two others in the Amsterdam on July 31 at Saratoga. He will be ridden by Calvin Borel.
Sailors Sunset, who beat Midnight Lute two races ago, also shipped to Kentucky for the Perryville. The gray son of Petionville has won two in a row for owner-breeder Jeff Nielsen’s Everest Stables Inc. and trainer Marcelo Polanco. Jesus Castanon will ride the gelding, who won the Foothill at Fairplex by 11 1/4 lengths in his last appearance Sept. 8.
Race of the day: Niquita, who won by a nose going a mile at Del Mar on Sept. 4, will cut back to about 6 1/2 furlongs on the grass in the seventh race today at Santa Anita. Corey Nakatani will ride the 4-year-old Brazilian-bred filly for T N T Stud and trainer Bobby Frankel in the $44,000 optional claimer.
One for the road: Popoki faces a field loaded with speed in the third race today at Golden Gate Fields. Francisco Duran will ride the 5-year-old Scatmandu gelding for trainer Ed Moger Jr. in the $16,000 claimer at six furlongs. Popoki was claimed by his current connections out of an easy win against $16,000 claimers Aug. 25 at Del Mar.
Exotically speaking: A pick three using Visit in the fifth, Mr. Chairman, Soul City Slew and Peter Paul ‘n’ Tango in the sixth and Sweet Ambition, Niquita, Bella Banissa and Feel Ridge in the seventh.
Winners: (previous day/meet total): 3/47. Money: (previous day/meet total): $13.40/$249.20. Total money bet: $224.
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