Lochte back on favorite turf for The Vid
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Lochte will return to the scene of his finest hour Saturday as the heavy favorite in the $90,000 The Vid Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Lochte turned in one of the most shocking performances of the 2014 championship meeting when he slipped up the rail under a deft ride by jockey Orlando Bocachica to register a 2 3/4-length victory over Imagining in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. Lochte has gone winless in six subsequent starts but was second in the Grade 1 Kilroe Mile and third behind Wise Dan in the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile.
In his most recent outing, Lochte finished a troubled fourth in a high-level optional-claiming race at Saratoga.
“He really seems to thrive at Gulfstream,” said Marcus Vitali, who trains Lochte for Crossed Sabres Farm. “You know how the saying goes, ‘A horse for the course.’ There’s a comfort there. We’re looking forward to getting going again at Gulfstream.”
Despite the presence of a Grade 1 winner in the lineup, a full field of 13 entered The Vid, including Palatine Hill, who will run only if the race is switched to the main track. There was an 80 percent chance of rain in the area for Thursday and Friday.
Among Lochte’s competition is Heiko, who has started just once since finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Tropical Turf Handicap last December at Calder. Heiko led throughout to post a three-quarter-length triumph in the 2013 The Vid.
David Jacobson, who shipped several horses to Gulfstream this week, will run Here’s Johnny, who finished fourth off the claim in Saratoga’s Better Talk Now Stakes on Aug. 20.
The Vid (Race 9)
KEY CONTENDERS
Lochte (Last 3 Beyers 92-83-92)
◗ Form has declined since he kept Grade 1 company earlier in the year. He did not have the cleanest of trips in his last start while facing better at Saratoga.
“He got in a lot of trouble. I feel, and Orlando feels, he would have won it with better luck,” said Vitali.
Here’s Johnny (Last 3 Beyers 83-69-75)
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Jacobson has won at a 21 percent rate (68 of 319), with a $1.49 return on investment, with horses second off the claim over the last three years.
Heiko (Last 3 Beyers: 85-94-93)
◗ He ran well in his first start off an eight-month layoff, chasing Mellow Fellow from start to finish under optional-claiming conditions here last month.