Northfield: Lauren Tritton pilots Lochinvar Art A to Battle Of Lake Erie title

The complexion of the $200,000 Battle Of Lake Erie changed radically twice before the race had gotten through the first turn. Second choice Backstreet Shadow broke before the start and never made the gate, while favored Ruthless Hanover also made a break while trying to out-sprint rivals through the first turn. Those mishaps didn't fluster Lauren Tritton one bit as she became the first female driver to capture the Battle, guiding Lochinvar Art A to a 18-1 upset victory at MGM Northfield Park on Saturday night.

Tritton tried to leave with the others going into the first turn but settled back briefly as Leonidas A and driver Austin Siegelman blasted out sharply from pole position and were followed by This Is The Plan from the second tier. That left Little Rocket Man and driver John De Long in third and Lochinvar Art A following them. De Long put Little Rocket Man on the move on the second turn following a hot 26 4/5 opening quarter. Lochinvar Art A was able to get behind that cover, and Charlie May, though starting from post eight, managed to line up behind third-over cover.

Leonidas A got a half in 54 2/5 but was under constant pressure, with Little Rocket Man breathing down his throat. Before three-quarters Tritton sent Lochinvar Art A wide, and the response was instant as she was able to get near leader Leonidas A in the 1:21 4/5 three-quarters and then wear that one down late on the final turn. Right on her back
was Charlie May, and he loomed boldly in the homestretch, but was unable to get near the winner through the drive to the wire and had to settle for second. Leonidas A held down the third spot.

The 1:50 mile was the fastest of six wins by Lochinvar Art A since arriving in North America and was his 34th career victory. The 8-year-old son of Modern Art was sent off at 18-1 and returned $38.60 for the win. Lochinvar Art A is owned by Team Tritton Inc. and is trained by Shane Tritton.

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"We've been hoping for this kind of win since we arrived here," said Shane Tritton in the winner's circle. "It's all thanks to Lauren."

"I had two minds behind the gate," said Lauren Tritton. "I didn't want to get parked."

Despite those wishes the cover trip worked out perfectly for Tritton.

"He was getting a little tired on me on the final turn but when he hit the homestretch he kicked into gear," Lauren added.

With Charlie May, a 32-1 shot, the exacta returned $917, and the triple with Leonidas A third at 10-1 paid $7,182 for a $2 ticket.

Violets Rainbow led through panels of 26 2/5, 55 2/5, and 1:23 in the $50,000 MGM Buckeye Distaff for pacing mares on the undercard and won by about a length and a half in 1:51 for driver Matt Kakaley and trainer Jared Bako. It was the 18th lifetime victory for the 6-year-old daughter of Art Official owned by Ian Fromowitz, and she pushed her lifetime earnings over the $300,000 mark. She paid $5.20 to win.