Inspector Lynley wins Danger's Hour Stakes on short rest

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – A quick turnaround proved no problem for Inspector Lynley, who reeled in the pacesetting Black Tide with a furlong to go and drew clear to a one-length victory Sunday in the $100,000 Danger’s Hour Stakes at Aqueduct.

Multiplier finished second by three-quarters of a length over Maraud, who was a neck in front of Awesome Saturday. Black Tide faded to fifth, while Coltandmississippi finished last of six.

Trainer Shug McGaughey said earlier in the week he decided to enter Inspector Lynley in the Danger’s Hour on two weeks’ rest because he was disappointed in the sixth-place finish by the 6-year-old in the Grade 2 Muniz Memorial Handicap at Fair Grounds on March 23.

Under Jose Lezcano in the Danger’s Hour, Inspector Lynley raced in co-second alongside Coltandmississippi while Black Tide opened up an 8 1/2-length lead after running a half-mile in 46.31 seconds.

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Inspector Lynley moved within 2 1/2 lengths after six furlongs in 1:10.11, collared Black Tide at the eighth pole and held Multiplier in abeyance through the final furlong.

Inspector Lynley, a son of Lemon Drop Kid owned by Stuart Janney III and the Phipps Stable, covered the mile in 1:34.13 and returned $4.50 to win.

Lezcano said he felt Maraud and Multiplier were the ones to beat, so he wanted to make sure he didn’t chase Black Tide too soon.

“I didn’t want to go too fast. I wanted to be in some kind of position where I could get to the other horse but not make the race for somebody else,” Lezcano said. “The whole way around, I had so much horse.”

It was the fifth stakes victory for Inspector Lynley, who improved his record to 6 for 24. He has earned $690,299.