Ostrolenka cruises to victory in Mike Lee

ELMONT, N.Y. - Ostrolenka continued his winning ways, registering a decisive two-length victory over the late-running Good Luck Gus in Monday’s $125,000 Mike Lee Stakes at Belmont Park.

Ostrolenka, a 3-year-old son of Musket Man, posted his second win in 23 days. He defeated second-level optional-claiming competiton by 4 1/2 lengths going a mile and one-sixteenth on May 2.

With John Velazquez aboard, Ostrolenka prompted the early pace of Wincoma and jockey Javier Castellano, overtook them upon entering the stretch, and quickly drew well clear. Good Luck Gus finished best of all down the center of the course to be second, a length in front of Battle of Evermore, who steadied back to last after the break then rallied to finish third.

Ostrolenka, a statebred stakes winner at 2, completed seven furlongs over a fast track in 1:23.65 and paid $4.80 as the favorite in a field of nine 3-year-old New York-breds. Ostrolenka is trained by Todd Pletcher for Christopher McKenna and Eric Fein, who also bred the colt.

“Turning back to seven-eighths helped him," said Pletcher’s assistant Byron Hughes.

"We knew [Wincoma] had speed and it worked out ideal how Javier dropped down on the rail and we got the outside position on him. It worked out better for us. It was a very impressive performance.”