Lost in the Fog, 8-for-8
The only real question about Sunday’s Carry Back Stakes at Calder was by how much Lost in the Fog would win. I thought he’d see a little challenge from Hot Space, the colt making his second career start who scored a 96 Beyer winning a maiden special in mid-June. But no, Lost in the Fog loped along in the lead from the start with rider Russell Baze aboard making no moves until the stretch, when he drew away easily under mild urging to win by more than seven lengths. Lost in the Fog made it look so effortless, it’s hard to believe that he ran a record race (SF Chronicle). His time for the six furlongs was 1:09.3, faster than any previous Carry Back, and faster than the other two grade 2 sprints on the card. Now 8-for-8, Lost in the Fog will be pointed to the King’s Bishop at Saratoga on August 27. Trainer Greg Gilchrist said he’s planning to get the unbeaten colt to upstate New York early: “I think I’ll get him into Saratoga a couple of weeks ahead of the race. I’ve never been to Saratoga, and I’ve heard all the stuff about the track, it being the ‘Graveyard of Champions’ and all that, and I’d like to work him at least once over the track before he runs there” (LA Times).
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Madcap Escapade was another big winner at Calder yesterday, bouncing back from a defeat in her last race to win the Princess Rooney Stakes by more than five lengths (Daily Racing Form). Happy Ticket finished second, suffering her first loss in 10 starts. No disgrace there. As Happy Ticket’s trainer Andrew Leggio said, “She ran great and I’m sorry she didn’t win but she got beat by a real nice horse although I’d like another chance at the winner going seven furlongs in the Ballerina.”
