LAWYER RON (Langfuhr), running for the Estate of James T. Hines Jr., kept his
Kentucky Derby (G1) aspirations going with an easy front-running score in
Saturday’s $250,000
Southwest S. at Oaklawn Park.
The flashy chestnut broke cleanly from post 3 and quickly moved to the front
entering the first turn.
Setting splits of :23 1/5 and :48, Lawyer Ron opened up a 2 1/2-length advantage over his nearest rival on the backstretch, all the while under
a snug hold from jockey John McKee. Coming out of the far turn, the rest of the field began to
catch up, but only Steppenwolfer (Aptitude) was able to offer any kind of
challenge, eventually finishing three-quarters of a length back in second as
Lawyer Ron finished a mile on the fast main track in 1:40.
As the 1-2 favorite, Lawyer Ron gave back $3, $2.40 and $2.20 while keying
the $1 exotics that paid $5.40 (exacta) and $61.40 (trifecta). Steppenwolfer was
easily second best, 3 1/4 lengths up on Red Raymond (Deputy Commander), to
return $4.20 and $3.60 at 6-1. Show was worth $7 at 32-1 and next came Music
School (A.P. Indy), Mark of Success (Mt. Livermore), Sharp Attack (Storm Cat),
Kingsfield (Ecton Park), Celluloid Hero (Glitterman) and Travelin Leroy (Two
Punch). First-time starter Agrapha (Magic Cat) was rank early and did not finish.
Lawyer Ron spent most of 2005 just trying to break his maiden, but really
came to life in December, taking an optional claimer at Louisiana Downs by 10
3/4 lengths before dominating the Peninsula Gaming’s Diamond Jo S. at Evangeline
Downs by 8 1/2 lengths. He started off his sophomore season in the Risen Star S.
(G3), which he won by 8 1/4 lengths prior to this one, and now sports a 12-5-1-3
career mark with $440,008 in earnings.
Bred in Kentucky by James T. Hines Jr., Lawyer Ron is out of Donation (Lord
Avie) and has an unnamed yearling half-sister by Elhayq (Ire).
Earlier on the card, Greg Warren’s URBAN GUY (Marquetry) stalked the pace in
the $50,000
Mountain Valley S. before swinging out three wide around the turn to
take over the lead. Drawing off, he recorded a 3 3/4-length score as the 3-1
favorite in the six-furlong test, returning $8, $4.40 and $3 under Robby
Albarado.
Trained by Tim Ritchey, the chestnut colt stopped the clock in 1:12 while
earning his first stakes victory. Urban Guy ran second in the Huntington S. last
season and began this year with a runner-up finish in the Dixieland S. With
Saturday’s score, he moved his record to 8-3-3-1 with $108,680 in lifetime
earnings.
Fidrych (Grand Slam) improved on his Dixieland third by finishing second here
by 1 1/4 lengths over Catonight (Katowice), who set the early pace. Rounding
out the order under the wire were Spotsgone (Bright Launch), Premier Dance
(Premiership), Formal Appeal (Successful Appeal), Smart ‘n Salty (Salt Lake),
Timetobook (Gilded Time), Mr. Pinstripe (Yankee Victor) and Corredor de Plata
(El Corredor). Coppertone Kid (Gold Case) was withdrawn.