Lucas n' Lori cuts back in Vice Regent Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Lucas n’ Lori, a refugee from the Canadian Triple Crown, will turn back to a mile on the inner turf in Saturday’s $100,000 Vice Regent Stakes for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds at Woodbine.

Lucas n’ Lori finished sixth of 14 in the 1 1/4-mile Queen’s Plate after mounting a wide bid from far off a slow pace. He bypassed the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie for a 1 1/4-mile allowance here July 26, rallying from eighth to finish a lapped-on fourth against older opposition.

Lucas n’ Lori was pinched back at the break before closing for fifth most recently in the 1 1/2-mile Breeders’ Stakes, finishing 3 3/4 lengths behind victorious Tone Broke, a contender in Saturday’s $1 million Jockey Club Derby Invitational at Belmont.

A field of eight was drawn for the Vice Regent, which goes as the eighth of 11 races.

KEY CONTENDERS

Lucas n’ Lori, by Exhi
Last 3 Beyers: 76-75-73

◗ The rail in lane 1 is a position that’s been kind to closers on the inner course, so the conditions should be ideal for him, as long as the pace is honest.

Victor’s Dynasty, by Victor’s Cry
Last 3 Beyers: 76-57-34

◗ He took to the turf like a duck to water last time against Ontario-sired allowance company, setting fast fractions before giving way late to end up second going 7 1/2-furlongs on the inner turf.

“He’s definitely a better [turf] horse,” trainer Tony Gattellaro said. “We’d been wanting to run him on it. I had to take a backstep with him in the spring, so it altered my plans. We were impressed with [his last race]. The softer he gets it early on, I think it’s going to help him, so the mile I don’t think will be a hindrance.”

Ari Gold Speedwagn, by Souper Speedy
Last 3 Beyers: 83-78-74

◗ Champion sprinter Pink Lloyd’s younger brother brings solid Tapeta form to his first grass start, and a mile should be suitable for him. Pink Lloyd has never competed on turf, but Souper Speedy sired the restricted turf stakes winner Souper Hot in his first crop.

Seguimi, by Victor’s Cry
Last 3 Beyers: 63-77-81

◗ He came up empty in the Breeders’ Stakes, but was second in his three previous races, including an allowance going 1 1/16 miles on the grass.

Dun Drum, by Bold n’ Flashy
Last 3 Beyers: 85-66-62

◗ His lone grass race in July was disappointing, but he rebounded most recently with an upset score over Ari Gold Speedwagn in a seven-furlong allowance.

◗ Emma-Jayne Wilson will ride him again for trainer Ian Black, and they combined to win two recent stakes with Red Cabernet.