Centre Court scores for trainer George Arnold in the Lake George Stakes at Saratoga
Centre Court romped past his rivals in the stretch to win the Grade 2, $200,000 Lake George Stakes at Saratoga on 25th July, 2012. Ridden by jockey Julien Leparoux, he efficiently handled the 1 1/16 mile track and, completed
the race in 1 minute and 41.71 seconds.
The victory that George R. Arnold trained runner secured was narrow, as she finished a neck before the Thomas Albertrani trained, Better Lucky, while the third place was secured by Mick Channon’s charge, Samitar.
The pace of the race was set by Elusive Rumour, who completed the opening quarter-mile in 23.44 seconds, and reached the half-mile marker in 47.13 seconds.
With jockey Junior Alvarado, she maintained her lead for six furlongs, which she completed in 1 minute and 11.74 seconds.
The sophomore was in constant contention with Medolina and Samitar, as Centre Court only quickened rounding off the final turn and, with an amazing turn of foot she brought her best game forth in the stretch.
In the deep stretch, she battled with Stephanie's Kitten, and found an opening, which earned her the victory.
The trainer was satisfied the way the race turned out as he commented:
“She’s easy to ride. It got a little rough in the stretch, but she got through."
The winning rider also expressed his delight after the race as he said:
"It was a tough race and I’m glad she won," he added. "The break was good, but the first turn was a little tight, then after that in the straight, too. We took some bumps. We tried to be patient and find the hole, and we found it. It’s always great
at Saratoga to win one.”
Jockey Julian Leparoux was the most successful jockey on the card, as he added a couple more to the Lake George Stakes success.
Leparoux rode the Steven Asmussen trained, Teen Pauline, in the five-furlong maiden at Saratoga and delivered a brilliant performance as he completed the race in 56.53 seconds, setting a new track record in the process.
The rider paired up with John Salzman’s charge, Double the Energy, and scored in the Claiming Race that covered a distance of 5 ½ furlongs and defeated, Zero Yield, ridden by Ramon Dominguez, in 1 minute and 02.84 seconds.
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