Lane Way Graded Stakes Win Recap and BC Prospects

It was an exciting day for all Lane Way owners, as our 6-year-old took down his first graded stakes in yesterday’s G2 Eddie D. and showed how special he is. 

Our veteran was put into a tactical early position by Mike Smith, checking in at third down the backstretch along the rail. It always appeared that Mike had plenty of horse while saving all the ground on the rail, but he did need to work out some running room as he was directly behind frontrunner #5 Noble Reflection. 

Once Lane Way found some lee way, he quickened strongly in the final furlong and was able to get a hold of the lead position. Making his second start off of the layoff, we knew he would be much tighter from a fitness perspective and the added distance was only going to be a benefit. In an interview after the win, jockey Mike Smith commented this will set him up nicely for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint going five furlongs on November 4th at Santa Anita. 

With the Eddie D. not being a ‘Win and You’re In’ race, it is not guaranteed Lane Way will get into the body of the field but trainer Richard Mandella is fairly confident that this win will give him enough points to get in. 

There have been six BC Challenge winners thus far including Caravel, Motorious, Gear Jockey, Bradsell and Live the Dream. Other horses can qualify for the BC is based on a points system, where horses are ranked based on their performance in major races during the year. Points are awarded according to their finishing position in graded stakes. Winning a G2 yesterday earned Lane Way 6 points but his win earlier in the year in the Clockers' Corner did not earn him any points as it was not graded so yesterday's win was crucial in order for him to have a chance to get into the Breeders' Cup. 

These are exciting times and while we all know the five-eighths distance is not our gelding's preferred distance, we have had a goal of making the Breeders Cup race over the last two years and Lane Way deserves the opportunity to run.