Gimme Da Lute scores again in El Cajon Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Gimme Da Lute extended his winning streak in stakes to four races in Saturday’s $98,000 El Cajon Stakes at Del Mar, but the result was not certain until the final strides.

Facing only three opponents, Gimme Da Lute was tested in the last sixteenth by Fame and Power, prevailing by a half-length in the one-mile race for 3-year-olds. Gimme Da Lute and Fame and Power are trained by Bob Baffert.

The El Cajon Stakes was run 25 minutes after the Baffert-trained American Pharoah finished second in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga.

Gimme Da Lute ($2.40) was timed in 1:35.79. Ridden by Martin Garcia, Gimme Da Lute was aggressive throughout the race. Despite the small field, Gimme Da Lute was four wide on the turn and two wide outside of Fame and Power on the backstretch while racing eagerly.

Fame and Power led by a half-length over Gimme Da Lute after a half-mile, a margin reduced to a head with a quarter-mile remaining. Gimme Da Lute was in front by a head at the eighth pole and was tested to the finish.

“He ran his eyes out,” said Mike Marlow, Baffert’s assistant trainer. “He was tired. He knew he’d run.”

Fame and Power finished a neck in front of Desert Dynamo, who was 22 1/4 lengths clear of Thanksgiving Day. The race drew seven entrants, but Iron Fist, Rocko’s Wheel, and Verraco were scratched Saturday morning.

Gimme Da Lute races for breeders Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman. By Midnight Lute, Gimme Da Lute has won 6 of 9 starts and earned $627,560. The current winning streak includes the Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita on June 7, the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Derby on July 4, and the Real Good Deal Stakes for California-breds here Aug. 2.

Baffert said earlier this week that Gimme Da Lute will be considered for the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing on Sept. 19.