Give Me the Lute tries to win Albany Stakes off a layoff for second straight year

Unraced since October, Give Me the Lute returns against nine rivals going five furlongs on turf in Saturday’s $50,000 Albany Stakes at Golden Gate Fields.

Trainer Andy Mathis said the 6-year-old Give Me the Lute has been tipping him that he’s ready for a start in the Albany, a race he won under similar circumstances last year.

“Every year that goes by, they get a little older and you don’t know if they’ve lost a step,” Mathis said. “He’s got four wins on the Golden Gate turf and three at the distance. He’s really stepped it up in the last few weeks in his works.”

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Last year, Give Me the Lute won the Albany in his first start since the preceding November. This year, his lengthy layoff was not by design. Mathis said Give Me the Lute was sent to Turf Paradise for a stakes last fall, only to become ill after arriving at the Phoenix track.

Mathis decided to rest Give Me the Lute through the winter, when Golden Gate Fields does not offer turf racing.

Give Me the Lute, who will be ridden by Irving Orozco for owners Rod and Wendy Hogan, drew the outside post in the Albany Stakes. Give Me the Lute is quick enough to set the pace.

Mathis acknowledges there is no margin for error in such a short race.

“These five-furlong turf races, it’s tough to win with your B or C game,” he said. “No hiccups are allowed. He likes this turf course. He likes the distance. He’s fresh.”

Last summer, Give Me the Lute was sent to Del Mar, where he finished second in the Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap. Mathis has a similar plan for him this summer.

On Saturday, Give Me the Lute could be tested early by Carolina Mia, a 5-year-old mare who led throughout an allowance race at five furlongs on turf against fillies and mares on May 20.

If the pace is too hot, Ultimate Bango and Psycho Dar might benefit. Ultimate Bango was the upset winner of the Lost in the Fog Stakes at six furlongs on Tapeta on April 20. He has won 5 of 21 turf starts. Psycho Dar was third in the El Dorado Shooter Stakes at six furlongs on Tapeta in February.

Mathis also starts Perfectionistic, a three-time winner who will have his stakes debut in the Albany and will run from off the pace. Perfectionistic won an allowance race at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar last summer when trained by Phil D’Amato.

The Albany Stakes is the leading race on Saturday’s 10-race program. The Golden Gate Fields winter-spring meeting runs through Sunday. The Alameda County Fair meeting at Pleasanton begins June 17.