Lucky Lindy runs away with Ontario Derby; Midnight Miley upsets La Lorgnette
September 20th, 2015
The duo first paired up for Lucky Lindy’s stakes debut in the grassy Toronto Cup on July 26 at Woodbine and were second that day. Next out, they tackled the 1 1/2-mile Breeders’ S., the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, and finished a well-beaten third.
Lucky Lindy refused to be denied again and settled into a closer stalking spot, just outside of the pacesetter, in the Ontario Derby. The bay colt previously had come from midpack or the rear of the field, but stayed in close contact as Decision Day established fractions of :25.38, :50.08 and 1:14.17.
Lucky Lindy inched closer to Decision Day nearing the turn then swept on by and easily drew off to finish 1 1/8 miles on the Polytrack in 1:50.64. Billy’s Star and Breaking Lucky both rallied from the back of the pack to take second and third, respectively.
Trained by Mark Frostad and campaigned by Augustin Stable, Lucky Lindy earned his first stakes win in this spot.
Earlier on the card in the $98,106 La Lorgnette S., Midnight Miley outran her 23-1 odds as the second longest shot on the board when gutting out a head score in the Polytrack contest under jockey Jesse Campbell
The Julia Carey-trained sophomore tracked in second as Tippany set the pace in :25.02 and :49.81. Entering the turn, Midnight Miley moved up to run in tandem with Tippany and Classyshadesofgrey, the latter of whom had taken command through six quarters in 1:14.49.
The bay daughter of Midnight Lute dueled with Classyshadesofgrey in the lane before putting her away and just holding as Don’t Leave Me came with a determined drive to just miss on the wire.
Midnight Miley ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.96 to earn her first stakes win. A half-length behind Don’t Leave Me was Dyna’s Recoleta while Classyshadesofgrey and Shesanaturalblonde dead-heated for fourth.
Campaigned by Little Red Feather Racing, Midnight Miley’s only other stakes tries to date resulted in a close fifth in the Duchess S. on July 19 and a seventh-placing in the Alywow S. on June 14.
Lucky Lindy and Midnight Miley photos courtesy of WEG/Michael Burns Photography
ONTARIO DERBY QUOTES:
Robby Albarado (jockey, winner Lucky Lindy): "I thought they'd go pretty slow up front and they did. When the one horse (Ethical Funds) ran up on the inside to go with Josie Carroll's horse (Decision Day) it helped me sit there a little longer."
Mark Frostad (trainer, winner Lucky Lindy): "It was only his fifth start. He had some two-year-old issues, so it took him a little longer (to get to the races). He's coming along beautifully and I think his best racing days are ahead of him."
LA LORGNETTE QUOTES:
Jessie Campbell (jockey, winner Midnight Miley): "(Trainer Julia Carey) said to take her from the post parade and keep her with the pony but away from the other horses. Just try and keep her calm."
"She was a little aggressive going into the first turn, but she settled pretty good for me. We were going pretty slow, she was in my hands, but I was impressed with the way she fought down the lane. She really fought hard.”
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