Lunar Victory sails to success in the $100,000 Evan Shipman Stakes at Saratoga
Lunar Victory, trained by Bill Mott, made a brilliant comeback in the $100,000 Evan Shipman Stakes at Saratoga on 23rd July, 2012, where he was mounted by jockey Junior Alvarado and, completed the 1 1/8 mile course first and
took home the money.
The son of Speightstown, out of mare Lunar Colony, was in contention with Johannesburg Smile through the early stages of the race, but the latter wandered off giving Sailmate an opening to take over.
The winner finished 2 ½ lengths before Sailmate, while Johannesburg Smile trotted in third, 1 ½ lengths after the runner-up.
The Prince Khalid Abdullah owned runner swiftly broke out of the gate, and completed the opening quarter-mile in 23.54 seconds.
Exhibiting the same fervour, he dominated the track and completed half-mile in 46.85 seconds and six furlongs in 1 minute and 10.24 seconds.
With his brisk pace, he completed the race in 1 minute and 49.30 seconds.
The fourth place was secured by, Pure Attitude while Good Karma completing the order of finish.
The trainer was immensely pleased with the way the runner performed and told the press:
“I had envisioned him settling three or four lengths off the lead perhaps, but it looked like the horse put himself there, he didn’t chase him to be there.” Mott further said: “As it turned out he was going comfortably. I don’t think he was asking
him to do something that he was unable to do.”
Lunar Victory’s success indicated that he was in immensely good shape, and made a great comeback.
The five-year-old previously competed in an Allowance Race in March, 2012, which covered a distance of 1 mile and seventy yards. He defeated, Cosmic King and clocked the distance in 1 minute and 43.31 seconds.
The older division runner now holds a record of 5-3-2 in 13 starts and has career earnings worth $201,039.
Prior to this race, the New York bred runner was taken on five work-outs to enhance his form, and to make sure he is capable of taking on the 1 1/8 mile distance. With this performance, he proved he is at the top of his game.
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