Runaway Lute gets another shot at Morrissey

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Wednesday’s cancellation following the fourth race had just about everybody around these parts singing the blues. But it could prove to be a blessing in disguise for the connections of Runaway Lute, who was excluded from Wednesday’s postponed John Morrissey Stakes due to a technicality, but will now have the opportunity to go back in the race when it’s redrawn and brought back Thursday.

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Runaway Lute had been idle since April 18 when entries were originally taken last Saturday for the John Morrissey. Trainer Gary Contessa entered him for the race, only to be informed by the racing office that Runaway Lute was ineligible to start per house rules that state that at the time of entry a horse idle more than 90 days must have at least three published works.

“It was a weird situation,” Contessa said. “We were entering five days out. The real hot day was Saturday, the day of entry. I intended to work him that morning, but decided to put it off until Sunday when it was cooler. He had a foot problem, which forced me to miss a couple of works prior to that, so at entry time he only had the two works.”

Runaway Lute did work a half-mile in 48.40 seconds over the main track here last Sunday and is scheduled to work again Saturday.

“Even though I informed the office he would work Sunday, they wouldn’t accept the entry,” Contessa said. “I disagree with the rule, to a point, but if that’s the rule, that’s the rule. It’s a house rule, not a gaming commission rule, but it’s the rule. If he works well Saturday, I will enter him in the Morrissey. The racing office said Eye Luv Lulu will not be going back in this time, so it will be coming up a short field, although I’m also considering a two-other-than allowance race for him later next week as well.”