3:18 pm: Midnight Lute won't earn another 124 Beyer for his victory in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, but the brilliant 4-year-old could not have been more impressive storming to victory through the slop from far back.
Midnight Lute($7.00) looked absolutly dead in the early going, out of the picture while Talent Search, Commentator Idiot Proof vied through an opening quarter in 21.56. It was Talent serarch and Idiot Proof head and head after a half in 44.06, with Midnight Lute eight lengths back and angling out on the turn for the stretch drive. Idiot Proof took over turning for home and looked like a sure winner at the furlong pole, but Midnight Lute was in full gear. Still six lengths back after five furlongs in 56.58, he rolled on by and won by 4 3/4 lengths. Idiot Proof held second by 1 3/4 lengths over Talent Search, with Benny The Bull up for fourth. The final time was 1:09.18.
Smokey Stover probably wasn't going to hit the board anyway, but was completely taken out of the race when Forefathers, a vanity entrant who had no business being in the field, backed up into him at the top of the stretch.
The $2 exotic prices were $49.80 for the exacta, $485.20 for the tri, $2748.80 for the super and an overlaid $2.065.60 for the early pick four of three morning-line favorites and 11-1 Lahudood.
The lone live backup pick-six ticket was alive only to Midnight Lute and Smokey Stover, and lives to fight another race.
