SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A switch from turf and graded stakes company to dirt and statebreds proved to be the tonic for So Lonesome, who speed-popped the field and drew off to a four-length victory in the $250,000 Albany Stakes, the featured event Sunday on Saratoga Showcase Day for New York-breds. So Lonesome was coming off a decent sixth on turf in the Grade 2 Hall of Fame Stakes earlier in the meet and had been racing on grass and synthetic for all of his 3-year-old campaign. But trainer Tom Bush felt his pedigree – by Awesome Again out of a General Meeting mare – qualified him for two turns and dirt. So Lonesome won his maiden over the Saratoga main track just over a year ago at 6 1/2 furlongs. “The turf helped get the horse built up a bit,” said Tom Bush, who trained the winner Patricia Schuler. “Even though it was coming back close [from the Hall of Fame], he didn’t really run much in that race and run like we know he can.” :: DRF Live: Get real-time updates and insights from DRF reporters and handicappers at Saratoga each race day Under Jose Lezcano, So Lonesome broke alertly and out-footed the 7-5 favorite and expected pacesetter Captain Serious to the first turn. Jose Ortiz on Captain Serious was content to allow So Lonesome to set fractions of 23.24 seconds, 47.13, and 1:11.61, a strong pace for 3-year-old New York-breds. Captain Serious took a run at So Lonesome around the turn, but the frontrunner repelled the bid, shaking loose in upper stretch, and keeping clear under a vigorous hand ride from Lezcano. Effinex, who was bet down to 5-1 off a 20-1 morning line – owing a great deal to the recent success of his trainer, Jimmy Jerkens – made the best of an inside-out trip to get second in the last jump over the longshot Eye Luv Lulu. Captain Serious weakened after chasing the winner and checked in fourth. Despite the strong fractions, So Lonesome ($20.80) got the nine furlongs in 1:50.17, which was 3.23 seconds faster than the 3-year-old fillies in the Fleet Indian earlier on the card. Bush is hoping So Lonesome can stay at two turns. His likely next start, the Empire Classic, Oct. 18, will be at nine furlongs but will be run at one turn at Belmont Park.