Lost Raven edges Quick Release in Coronation Cup
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Monday’s $100,000 Coronation Cup at Saratoga may have lost some of its luster by scratching down from eight to just four starters after being moved from the turf to a sloppy main track. But ultimately the 5 1/2-furlong race didn’t lack for excitement, with the 3-5 favorite Lost Raven prevailing by a nose after a near racelong duel with hard-luck runner-up Quick Release.
Lost Raven broke alertly and went right to the lead under jockey Jose Ortiz, with Quick Release stalking her from the outset. The two quickly separated themselves from the other two members of the field, Brinkley and J La Tache, and continued their personal duel through the length of the stretch, Quick Release sticking her head in front on a couple of occasions and still holding the narrowest advantage nearing the wire before losing the nose bob at the end.
It was another 6 3/4 lengths farther back to Brinkley, with J La Tache finishing fourth and last.
The win was the third in the last four starts, all stakes, for Lost Raven, a homebred daughter of Uncle Mo, who also defeated Quick Release in winning the Grade 3 Ms Preakness at Pimlico on May 20. The winner completed the distance in 1:04.42 over the wet track and paid $3.50.
“It was a hard-fought win and it was good to be on the right side of the head bob,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains Lost Raven for owner-breeder Mike Repole. “It certainly didn’t hurt our feelings when the race came off the grass and it was good to see another Uncle Mo win at Saratoga.”