After an unsuccessful bid in the February 12 Razorback (G3) Betting, millionaire Lone Rock was returned to what he does best — routing — in the April 3 Temperence Hill Stake at Temperence Hill. Oaklawn Park.
Betting as an even-coin lover, the Flying P Stable and RA Hill Stable runner hit early speed from the inside fence with his stablemate Goalie . The pair competed at :24.17 in the first quarter and :48:18 half a mile before Lone Rock took the lead, hitting the 1-mile mark in 1:38.88. Jockey Ramon Vazquez sneaked back into the distance as the team readied to open up his opponent in the long run. The Last Samurai Warrior caught up to speed for most of the 1 1/2 mile, ramped up at the end, headed straight into the interior of a drifting Lone Rock and fell short of catching it at the rope. Ten-fold is the other 2 lengths back in third place.
Lone Rock ($4) stopped the timer at 2:30.82 on a quick main track.
“It’s a bit hard on nerves,” coach Robertino Diodoro said after the race. “I don’t think we were fair to (Lone Rock) and it wasn’t the owners. I blamed myself all the time. The horse should never run (in Razorback) for some reason. One of the most important reasons is the distance, especially because he used to be for us. I’m really mad at myself. You don’t want him to be beaten a few times after last time, so it’s good to put him back in the winner’s circle. “
Lone Rock’s ties have indicated that he will stick with the races longer and will next attempt to defend his title in the Isaac Murphy Overnight Marathon run by the Post-Taneo Care Coalition. Presentation on May 3 at Churchill Downs.
With Sunday’s win, the respectable 7-year-old boosted his earnings to $1,422,641 and improved his overall record to 15-5-1 from 39 career starts.
Bred in Kentucky by Town & Country horse farms and ranches, Lone Rock is Mighty Warrior and in addition to the classified deposit amount Spin hard mare Ruby Lips. He is the half brother of the winner and ranked 1 Gerrymander (Into Mischief ) and praise from the families of 1st grade winners Hard Not to Like and Fiery Ensign. Ruby Lips has an underrated 2 year old More than ready colt named Sivako and a young girl full of desire by Tapit .
Videotapes: Temperence Hill S. (BT)
