Harry Aleo’s LOST IN THE FOG (Lost Soldier) remained perfect in nine starts
Saturday when annexing the $250,000
King’s Bishop S. (G1) at Saratoga. The dark
bay sophomore overcame a bump at the start and broke to the early lead. He
opened the race with a quarter in :22, clocked a half-mile in :44 3/5, and had a 5 1/2-length
advantage through six furlongs in 1:09. Jockey Russell Baze kept the colt busy
to the wire, leading by 4 3/4 lengths at the finish and completing the
seven-furlong fast track affair in 1:22 2/5 to give trainer Greg Gilchrist his first Grade
1 victory. Social Probation (Jules), also bumped at the start, dropped back
early in the race and went wide into the stretch, passing a majority of the field in
the lane to earn runner-up honors.
“It always seems like there is other speed in the race, but when they kick
it, he’s always in front,” Gilchrist said. “I sure like seeing those orange
silks there (on the lead) and when Russell is looking between his legs when he’s
three in front — that’s an even better feeling. He (Lost in the Fog) makes it
look so easy.”
Lost in the Fog left the gate as the heavy 1-5 favorite to give back $2.60,
$2.30 and $2.10 for his efforts, leading the $12.80 exacta. Social Probation,
sent off at 10-1, returned $4.50 and $2.50. Better than Bonds (Sweetsouthernsaint)
came another three parts of a length back to grab the bronze position, giving
$2.80 at 24-1 and ending the $78 trifecta (3-2-7). They were followed by The
Daddy (Valid Expectations), Storm Surge (Storm Cat), Santana Strings (Wheaton)
and Fusaichi Rock Star (Wild Wonder).
“This horse has handled so many tracks (seven to date), that I didn’t see the
track being a big factor,” Baze said. “There are very few horses that can go
with this horse for the first half-mile. He’s and exceptional animal, and it is
really going to take an exceptional animal to beat him. A couple of guys have
said that he hasn’t met the best, but we’ve taken on all comers and he’s handled
them pretty nicely.”
Lost in the Fog was bred in Florida by Susan Seper and is out of the unraced
mare Cloud Break (Dr. Carter). He counts himself as a half-brother to My Little
Devil, an unraced two-year-old colt by Devil’s Bag. In nine perfect starts, Lost
in the Fog has accumulated earnings of $834,075. Previous scores on his resume
include the Carry Back S. (G2), Riva Ridge Breeders’ Cup S. (G2), Swale S. (G2)
and Bay Shore S. (G3).
“People need to realize he shipped across the world six times now, not to
count a 14-hour van ride to Phoenix and back,” continued his trainer. “To keep
putting on these kind of performances, it just takes a special horse to do that.
I would probably, if I had my druthers, I would rather train him up to the
Breeders’ Cup (Sprint [G1] at Belmont Park on October 29). If I can find
something in California against older horses, that would be a possibility.”