Lost in the Fog untouchable

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Lost in the Fog, who has wowed his growing legion of fans from coast to coast all season long, put on another dazzling display of speed and class when he cruised to his ninth consecutive win, an easy 4 3/4-length victory in Saturday's $250,000 at Saratoga. The victory was the first Grade 1 win of his career.

The undefeated Lost in the Fog again used his amazing turn of foot to control the seven-furlong King's Bishop from start to finish. After breaking loose from some early bumping caused by Fusaichi Rock Star leaving the gate, Lost in the Fog quickly sprinted to command under jockey Russell Baze. Favored at 1-5 over his six 3-year-olds rivals, Lost in the Fog set fractions of 22.09 and 44.61 seconds while being chased by Fusaichi Rock Star and The Daddy. Lost in the Fog readily shook free when roused entering the stretch and increased his advantage under pressure to the end.

Social Probation, who was bumped and put in tight quarters after Fusaichi Rock Star ducked out badly leaving the gate, rallied from last on the extreme outside to finish second, three-quarters of a length in front of Better Than Bonds. A claim of foul by Calvin Borel, the jockey of Social Probation, against Lost in the Fog for alleged interference leaving the gate was dismissed.

Lost in the Fog completed seven furlongs in 1:22.56 and returned $2.60.

"That's pretty much what all his races have been like," said Greg Gilchrist, who trains Lost in the Fog for 84-year-old owner Harry Aleo. "Everybody keeps waiting for him to get beat, but it hasn't happened yet, and it's going to take an awfully good horse to beat him."

Lost in the Fog had trained up to the race in a bar shoe because of a quarter crack, but Gilchrist said it was not a problem.

"I checked the foot after the race and the quarter crack had not split open," said Gilchrist. "There was no blood. But we'll take him back home and continue to train him with the bar shoe."

Gilchrist said he would discuss possible options for Lost in the Fog's upcoming itinerary with Aleo.

"I'd say at the moment it's probably 75-25 we'll go to the Breeders' Cup Sprint," said Gilchrist.