Gulfstream Park: Lea to Charles Town Classic

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Bill Mott said that Lea, winner of the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope and Grade 1 Donn Handicap here earlier this meet, will make his next start in the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic on April 19.

“I thought the timing was right,” Mott said. “He’s proven he can get a mile and an eighth. He gets around the turns well. I thought it would be a good prep for the Met Mile.”

[Clocker Reports: Get Mike Welsch’s clocker reports from Gulfstream Park and Palm Meadows]

To Honor and Serve and Flat Out won the Westchester at Belmont for Mott the last two years, but Mott noted they did not run as well in the Met Mile, which this year has been moved to Belmont Stakes Day, June 7, and will be worth $1.25 million.

“I thought I’d approach it a little differently,” Mott said. “This will give us a couple of more weeks.”