Lantana Mob up in shadow of the wire

Lantana Mob ($5.60), a two-time stakes winner at 2, stayed perfect as a 3-year-old when pushing past Silver Edition in the desperate final yards to win as a popular favorite in the $100,000 Hirsch Jacobs Stakes on the Preakness undercard.

With Robby Albarado riding for trainer Steve Asmussen, Lantana Mob moved up steadily after laying back as far as sixth in the early stages of the six-furlong Hirsch Jacobs, then launched his winning bid when farthest outside. He won by a neck after finishing in 1:09.10 over a fast track.

"We bided our time and let things unfold," said Albarado. "We didn't get by until three jumps before the wire, but I knew I had him. He showed he had a big punch."

Silver Edition, who made a big move in the upper stretch to wrest command under Edgar Prado, finished second, another length before Force Freeze in a field of eight. Indy Joe was another neck back in fourth.

Lantana Mob, by Posse, is owned by Vinery Stables and Tom Ludt. At 2, the colt won the Tyro and Grade 3 Sapling, both at Monmouth Park, before being defeated in his next two starts. He then returned from a 5 1/2-month layoff to win his only previous start this year, the April 6 Bachelor Stakes at Oaklawn Park.