Copper Tax battles to fifth straight win in James F. Lewis III

Copper Tax ($3) stamped himself as the best 2-year-old in the Mid-Atlantic region by capturing his fifth consecutive start in the James F. Lewis III at Laurel Park on Saturday..

It wasn’t easy.

Copper Tax, the prohibitive betting favorite, broke a bit slow from the inside post and wound up last as Inveigled and Sweet Soddy J battled for early supremacy through fractions of 22.52 and 46.17 seconds.

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Jockey Jaime Rodriguez didn’t panic, however, and guided Copper Tax in between horses on the turn. Still in behind foes in midstretch, Rodriguez maneuvered Copper Tax through a narrow opening while in the three path, shrugged off a couple of bumps from both sides, and surged to the wire to nail a game Inveigled by a neck in 1:11.30.

Bolt of Aurum finished third, three-quarters of a length behind Inveigled. Completing the order of finish were Sweet Soddy J, Catahoula Moon, Buccherino, and Give It a Whirl. Secret Zipper scratched.

Bred in Kentucky by Lance Sullenberger, Copper Tax was purchased for $45,000 as a yearling by Rose Petal Stable. He is a son of Copper Bullet out of stakes-placed dirt sprinter Wilhelmina.

Trained by Gary Capuano, Copper Tax has been odds-on in all six starts, and is a head away from being unbeaten. After finishing second in his career debut at Delaware on June 10. Copper Tax has been unstoppable, scoring at Delaware at distances ranging between five furlongs to one mile over both fast and wet tracks.

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