Lane Way earns Dubai consideration with win in Clockers' Corner Stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. - Lane Way was omitted from the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland in November when the race was oversubscribed. He never made it any closer than the also-eligible list at the pre-entry stage.
There may be a richer race in Lane Way’s future after a win in Sunday’s $101,000 Clockers' Corner Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.
Trainer Richard Mandella mentioned the $1.5 million Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates on March 25 as a possibility for Lane Way.
“It’s in the back of my mind,” Mandella said.
Lane Way won his first stakes in the Clockers' Corner, which was restricted to non-winners of a graded stakes since the beginning of 2022.
Lane Way was second in three graded stakes for turf sprinters in his preceding four starts prior to the Clockers' Corner – the Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar last September, the Eddie D Stakes at Santa Anita in October, and the Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita on Dec. 31.
Between the Eddie D and Hernandez, Lane Way won an allowance race on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita in early November, racing near the front throughout.
In the Clockers' Corner Stakes, Lane Way was placed in a stalking position by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. Fourth on the hillside, Lane Way moved into second at the bottom of the hill with a wide move and took the lead as the field crossed onto the main turf course. Lane Way pulled clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths.
“A lot of times he waits on horses,” said Smith, who has ridden Lane Way since the Green Flash.
“Today, he ran away from them. He settled nicely and finished strong.
“I had him in the perfect spot. I was able to sit outside of them.”
Lane Way ($6) was timed in 1:12.05 for about 6 1/2 furlongs and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 97. Motorious, the 4-5 favorite, closed from last of seven in the final half-mile to finish second, a half-length in front of 13-1 Respect the Code.
Motorious was farther back than his jockey, Flavien Prat, expected.
“He ran a good race,” Prat said. “I wish I could have followed Mike.”
Yeng Again finished fourth, followed by Nero, Lambeau, and Coulthard.
Yeng Again set a solid early pace of 22.28 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 43.87 for a half-mile, but faded in the final furlong.
Lane Way, a 6-year-old gelding by Into Mischief, races for the My Racehorse syndicate. Lane Way has won 4 of 17 starts and earned $367,560.
Prat and Mandella teamed earlier in the day to win a maiden race with the promising 3-year-old Geaux Rocket Ride.
By Candy Ride, Geaux Rocket Ride led throughout a six-furlong race to win by 5 3/4 lengths in 1:09.52 in his career debut. Owned by Pin Oak Stud, Geaux Rocket Ride earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 92.
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