Streaking Lagynos holds off Minaret Station in Arlington Stakes

Lagynos, who has been in career form this winter and spring, notched his fourth consecutive victory, opening up in the stretch and then handily holding off Minaret Station by three-quarters of a length in the Grade 3, $275,000 Arlington Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Lagynos ($7.18), trained by Steve Asmussen, was already a graded stakes winner and millionaire entering his 5-year-old season. He has now won, in succession, the Grade 3 Fair Grounds, Grade 2 Muniz Memorial, a salty edition of the Opening Verse at Churchill, and now the Arlington, pushing his earnings past $2.3 million.

“It was another exceptional run for him,” Asmussen said. “A wonderful time, and obviously at his best right now.”

Jose Ortiz has been aboard Lagynos for seven of his last eight starts, including this win streak.

“I’ve gotten to know him very well and I’m glad we click together,” said Ortiz, who also won the Grade 3 Regret with Faithful Departed earlier on the card. “He’s a barn favorite and I’m just very thankful.”

In a deep field, Lagynos and Ortiz sat in third as fellow graded stakes winners Giocoso and Quatrocentro led through six furlongs in 1:22.57. Ortiz had Lagynos in the clear and he powered clear by open lengths on the outside when given his cue.

Minaret Station, who trainer Will Walden said he believed will be better going longer, was eighth of nine after the opening half, and turned in a creditable rally to be second by three-quarters of a length to the winner, who never did appear seriously threatened.

The time for the 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf was 1:40.08.

West Hollywood was a length back in third.

Brilliant Berti was fourth, followed by Quatrocentro, Coal Battle, Anglophile, Mesoro, and Giocoso.

The Arlington is designed as a local prep toward the Grade 2, $500,000 Wise Dan on June 27 at Churchill Downs. Asmussen indicated that is the next target for Lagynos.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.