Lochte asserts dominance in Mr. Steele victory

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Lochte, a former Grade 1 winner, asserted his class edge Sunday in the $75,000 Mr. Steele Stakes at Gulfstream Park, rallying to a popular and convincing 4 1/4-length decision over Padilla in the overnight test for older horses on the grass.

Lochte, who has kept a pretty steady diet of Grade 2 and Grade 3 company since leaving here last spring, was content to race midpack during the opening half-mile of the one-mile Mr. Steele. Jockey Mathew Rispoli encouraged Lochte to pick up the pace entering the far turn, the even-money favorite responding with a steady rally to run by the tiring Padilla at midstretch and win going away.

Padilla contested the pace with Storming Inti, disposed of that rival entering the stretch, and though no match for the winner, was easily second-best. Golden Rifle raced well placed behind the dueling leaders but came up empty when roused for the drive.

Lochte, a 5-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro, is trained by Marcus Vitali for the Crossed Sabres Farm LLC. He completed the distance in 1:34.23 over the firm course and paid $4.20. The win was the fourth in two days for Rispoli. He also combined to win the Groomstick Stakes for Vitali on Saturday with Valid.
The win was the first at a mile in eight tries for Lochte.

“I think I keep repeating myself, but he loves Gulfstream,” said Vitali. “I think he had a good trip. It was a wide trip, but it was a good trip. It was a clear trip. He was lying where he was supposed to be. It’s all about the trip, trip, trip on the turf.”