Silver Mission vs. Runaway Lute in Rockville Centre

ELMONT, N.Y. – The $125,000 Rockville Centre Stakes drew only five New York-bred juveniles and is likely to go with just four runners Saturday. But the race still should be competitive, with the stakes winner Silver Mission taking on the impressive debut winner Runaway Lute.

Silver Mission, a son of Mission Impazible trained by Todd Pletcher for Twin Creeks Racing, is 2 for 2, including a 6 1/4-length victory in the Tremont Stakes on June 10.

Runaway Lute, a son of Midnight Lute trained by Gary Contessa for Harold Lerner and Nehoc Stables, won his debut by 12 lengths on May 28.

Contessa said he wasn’t surprised that Runaway Lute ran so well in his debut considering that R Precious Stones had won her debut two days earlier.

“She was Runaway Lute’s workmate, and he was beating her by five to 10 lengths,” Contessa said.

Runaway Lute has since come back to post two bullet workouts over the Belmont training track.

“Since that race, he’s gotten bigger, stronger, and trained better,” Contessa said. “He’s a much better horse than he was going into it.”

Contessa will also run Concatulations, a maiden.

Pletcher also entered Ethan Hunt, a maiden, but he is expected to scratch.

Trainer Bruce Brown sends out Manifest Destiny, an 8 3/4-length debut winner here June 17.

The Rockville Centre, at six furlongs, will go as race 3 on the 10-race program. No show wagering will be available.