Trackattacker has no problem staying unbeaten in WTBOA Lads

The undefeated Trackattacker had little more than a paid workout as scored his third straight wire-to-wire victory, winning the $45,000 WTBOA Lads by seven lengths at Emerald Downs on Saturday.

A gelded Washington-bred son of Harbor the Gold, Trackattacker ($2.10) did everything on his own for jockey Leslie Mawing, who tapped him twice right-handed in the stretch, as he covered 6½ furlongs in a stakes-record 1:16.19 while defeating Moby by seven lengths. Private Boss was third, beaten 10 ¾ lengths.

Trackattacker broke sharply and was hand ridden by Mawing, easily opening a two-length lead through a 22.08-second opening quarter. Perhaps the only surprise of the race was that he led by only three lengths through a 44.61 opening half.

But just as he had in his first two starts, Trackattacker kept going and the rest of the field fell back. He was ahead by eight at the eighth pole, and Mawing did little after his two right-handed taps near the eighth pole.

“He was starting to get a little bored in the stretch so I tapped him a couple times to get his attention,” said Mawing. “I galloped him out good because I knew down the road he’s going to have to run a mile or 1 1/16 miles. I also wanted to see what I had under me, and he had a lot left.”

Trainer Frank Lucarelli said the six-furlong, $50,000 Daily Racing Form Dennis Dodge Stakes on Sept. 7 was next on Trackattacker’s agenda.

“He’s real efficient the way he moves,” said Lucarelli. “He doesn’t even appear to be a 2-year-old. He just walks over here and doesn’t fret about anything.

“Our plan is to go to the Washington Cup and then the Gottstein Futurity.”

Mawing, who rode Gallant Son as a 2-year-old for Lucarelli, said, “He’s at the top of the list of 2-year-olds I’ve ever ridden. Distance will not be an issue for this horse.”

A $25,000 yearling purchase by REV Racing LLC last September, Trackattacker earned $24,750 for his victory and has a bankroll of $59,318 after his three victories.