Lane Way - Career Recap (Partnership Desolved)

Lane Way was bought into privately by MyRacehorse after a promising debut in 2020 for partner Spendthrift Farm. For several years thereafter he continued to build on that early promise, eventually making the grade as a 6-year-old.

Over the course of a 23-race career, Lane Way and his owners took five trips to the winner’s circle. He hit the board an additional 14 times, and racked up more than $528,000 in career earnings.

The Richard Mandella trainee made his first foray into stakes company in the 2020 Let It Ride Stakes at Del Mar, finishing a close third in that one-mile event. Forced to miss much of the 2021 season, he returned that October for an emphatic optional claiming victory at Santa Anita. That was first try in a turf sprint, and for the remainder of his career abbreviated turf events would be the son of Into Mischief’s focus.

In March of 2021, while Lane Way was sidelined due to bone bruising, MyRacehorse reached an agreement to purchase Spendthrift’s 40% ownership stake in Lane Way. At that time, it was also recommended to geld Lane Way to help advance his racing career—a decision that proved highly beneficial under the guidance of his Hall of Fame trainer.

Lane Way knocked on the door at the graded level throughout 2022, finishing second in a trio of graded stakes, capped by the G2 Joe Hernandez Stakes on New Year’s Eve. In his first outing as a 6-year-old, he officially became a stakes winner, annexing the Clocker’s Corner Stakes down the hill at Santa Anita in January of 2023.

Two starts later he would add the G2 Eddie D. Stakes win to his credits that September, and appeared a legitimate contender for that year’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, but unfortunately did not make it off the also-eligible list.[He was the 1st also-eligible or 1st AE at race time, but in spite of many rumors of potential scratches, he didn't make it into the field.]

He finished third in three more stakes during the first half of 2024, but having battled with recurrent bone bruising, it was ultimately decided that he had done plenty on the racetrack and was ready for retirement.

In addition, Lane Way set (and still holds as of this date) the 6 furlong track record on turf at Santa Anita turf on October 3, 2021 with a time of 1:06.60 in an allowance race and winning by 2-3/4 lengths under Flavien Prat. He was a 4YO at the time. 

From the Santa Anita Equibase data:  (reverified 6/2/2025 that he still holds this record)

Turf    6 Furlongs   Lane Way   4   122   1:06.60 Oct 03, 2021

Lane Way was given a coveted spot at the renowned Old Friends retirement facility, where he will live out his days among an esteemed group of past racetrack stars and will no doubt receive many visits from his passionate ownership group and other racing fans.

Thank you for being part of Lane Way’s story and for your commitment to racehorse ownership. Lane Way will always hold a special place in the MRH family.

Horses That Left our Stable in 2024

Adaay in Asia - claimed

Our talented import never faired well on our eastern tracks (Keeneland, Aqueduct, etc.) and was later sent West, where she didn't improve at Santa Anita or Del Mar. She was claimed out of a race, but has since been sent to Tampa Bay Downs where she has scored a 1st and a close 2nd in consecutive races in 2024.

English Jubilee - claimed

Our daughter of English Channel out of a Kitten's Joy mare never seemed to be able to put a solid race together until she won a claiming race at Woodbine on Halloween night and was claimed. She had eight starts with one 1st, one 2nd, and one 3rd and $34,000+ in earnings. In her only stakes entry, the Cup and Saucer at Woodbine, she ran 4th. She has not worked or run back since being claimed, but may have been sent south for the winter, as she was by us the previous year.

Guinevere - sold at Keeneland November / race or broodmare 

Our stunning daughter of Justify only had 5 starts, but won both of her starts on the dirt, and came in 3rd on the tapeta at Turfway Park in her debut. Purchased as a possibly top turf contender, she finished her only two races on turf dead last. She was put through the Keeneland November sale as a racing or broodmare prospect in early November and brought $90,000, purchased by one of the participating partners. She has since been entered into a race at Mahoning Valley, possibly pending her broodmare career in the spring. 

Lady Blitz - retired / sport horse or broodmare project

After showing a ton of talent and ramping up the hopes of many of her owners early on, and finishing 3rd in her debut at Saratoga with Irad Ortiz in the irons, Lady Blitz could never seem to put together a career. She was sent back to Wavertree Farm to retrain in early 2024, and during the process a flap issue was found in her throat. After two unsuccessful surgeries she was retired and sent back to her consignor as a broodmare or sport horse project. 

Lane Way - retired / at Old Friends in Kentucky

After a wonderful career where our son of Into Mischief frequently won or placed in graded stakes, set a new track record on the downhill turf course at Santa Anita, and finished 2023 as 1st alternate to the Breeders Cup Sprint, a decision was made to retire him at age 7. He was sent to Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Kentucky in late Fall, where he can now rub elbows with other famous retired horses such as Silver Charm, Big Brown and Cozmic One.  

Legitify - claimed, has raced

Our chestnut son of Justify was claimed on May 24th. Legitify continued his career in shorter sprint races at Los Alamitos and got a win by 2-2/3 lengths at Santa Anita on October 5, 2024 going one mile on dirt. He ran back on 11/22 in a 1 mile claiming race at Del Mar, ran 7th and was subsequently claimed again. He has not run back since the end of November. 

Magical Ways - claimed and has been racing

Our son of Maclean's Music, Magical Ways, continued his career after being claimed in 2023 at Aqueduct, and has registered some wins and strong performances increasing his current bankroll to $262,000+ with 5 wins, 3 2nds and 4 3rds from 24 lifetime starts. His last two Equibase speed figures at Aqueduct were 104 for 3rd and 108 for 2nd!

Mo Temptation - retired / broodmare in California 

Our promising daughter of Mo Town was retired from racing on May 19th with only one race under her belt. Frequent setbacks led to the decision to retire her from racing in her best interest. She'll be a broodmare in California, with a date with a talented California stallion, Brickyard. 

Pioneer Prince - claimed, has raced

Our gelded son of Pioneerof the Nile was claimed in August by top trainer, Doug O'Neill. He ran back on August 17th with a win, and on September 1, where he finished 7th. 

Straight to Glory - retired / hunter/jumper in Texas

Our son of top UK freshman sire Cotai Glory struggled with a series of setbacks including bulking up which led to the decision to geld him in an attempt to reduce stress due to weight on his joints but he never made it to a debut. As part of the Royal Duet with Guinevere, they were simultaneously retired on October 29th. Straight to Glory has found a home with a young equestrian in Texas who will train him as a hunter/jumper.  

Lane Way Old Friends Update

Lane Way has settled in well at Old Friends but will be in quarantine for two weeks at the farm. Once he clears quarantine he can be turned out in a paddock. 

Secret Crush and Lane Way are Neighbors at Silver Springs

Secret Crush remains in good order while in round pen turnout at Silver Springs. Our son of Candy Ride is being allowed more space every week and loved the attention from his owners during a visit this week while next to his farm mate Lane Way. 

Dr. Wes Sutter is monitoring our colt.

Lane Way Arrives at Silver Springs

 Lane Way arrives at Silver Springs pending acceptance into Old Friends.

LANE WAY on Wait List for Old Friends

      We are pleased to report we have received positive news from Old Friends! While they have a long waitlist, they are interested in offering retirement placement for Lane Way.

     For the time being, Lane Way has remained at Sunshine Farm in Bradbury, CA, but the plan is to ship him to Silver Springs in Kentucky on Monday. Then he'll be near Old Friends when they hopefully accept him this fall. Our 7-year-old gelding has remained on stall rest during the initial period of his recovery, but it shouldn't be too long before he can be turned out in a small outside pen.

     We expect to have another update some time this summer from Old Friends regarding official placement. We hope to be able to visit him at Old Friends at some point in the future.

LANE WAY RETIRES!!!

We are very saddened to announce the retirement of our "Star of the West," LANE WAY. 

In the course of Lane Way's last stakes effort, his team discovered a minor injury that, although is expected to heal completely with a few months rest, at the age of 7YO, the decision was made to retire our multiple stakes performing son of Into Mischief.  

Inquiries are being made to Old Friends (famous retirement farm) in Lexington, Kentucky, but we, personally hope that someone might acquire him as a potential eventing prospect after his time off. While returning to racing would be entirely possible, we agree it's in the best interests of Lane Way to move on from the racing arena instead of bringing him back to run as an 8YO. It’s been a remarkable journey with him, finishing in the money in 19 of 23 lifetime starts, including multiple graded/stakes wins and placings and total earnings exceeding $500,000, and setting a New Track Record at Santa Anita! 

While it's disappointing that he won't have another run at the Breeders Cup this year, we feel he has well earned retirement and couldn’t imagine a better or more caring home for him if he does end up at Old Friends. 

This is admittedly a little painful for us because prior to Seize The Grey beginning his Triple Crown run, Lane Way had been our most successful and decorated runner. Among the photos below is one of him  sporting his 2023 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint saddle cloth, where he unfortunately ended up as first alternate due to a decision by the committee, instead of in the gate where his stakes record should have placed him. 

LANE WAY'S NOTABLE RACES AND STAKES

Santa Anita  4/21/2024  4  Siren Lure Stakes (Listed)  3RD  105

Santa Anita  3/9/2024  7  San Simeon Stakes (G3)  3RD  109

Del Mar 12/2/2023   3  Stormy Liberal Stakes (Bl Type)  3RD  106

Santa Anita   9/30/2023 9  Eddie D Stakes (G2)  1ST  110

Santa Anita  1/29/2023  8  Clocker's Corner St (Bl Type)  1ST  106

Santa Anita  12/31/2022  1  Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2)  2ND  106

Santa Anita  11/6/2022  9  Allowance OC  1ST  103

Santa Anita  10/1/2022  7  Eddie D Stakes (G2)  2ND   109

Del Mar  9/4/2022 9  Green Flash Handicap (G3)  2ND  100

Del Mar 7/30/2022  7  Allowance OC  2ND  100

Santa Anita  10/3/2021  4  AOC  1ST  105  NTR!*

Del Mar 11/1/2020  8  Let It Ride Stakes (Bl Type)  3RD  100

Santa Anita 9/27/2020  5  AOC  2ND  105

Del Mar 8/22/2020  5 MSW  1ST  92

*He holds the track record for 6 furlongs at Santa Anita:

October 3, 2021 - 6F - 1:06:60 (New Track Record)

[Photo credits Gary Tasich]

Lane Way After-Race Report

Lane Way checked in 5th in yesterday’s G3 Daytona S. and earned an 89 Beyer Speed Figure. We don’t have too many excuses for his lack of punch late in the race. Our veteran was sitting a nice stalking trip despite the eventual winner, #2 Mucho Del Pro, getting a lonely lead. As the field reached the dirt crossover, Lane Way appeared to be in a winnable position, but he simply was not able to excel home once getting back to the turf.

So far he’s come out of the race in pretty good order. He’s a bit body sore in his hind end, which is not out of the norm for him and he hit his front left ankle again, which is the reason he was equipped with front wraps yesterday afternoon. The Mandella barn will continue to monitor Lane Way, but our tentative game plan is to stretch him out around two turns at Del Mar and point to the Wickerr S. on July 21st.

He doesn’t appear to have lost a step in his morning activity, but you could argue the case that, at his age, he has regressed slightly of late. Perhaps he does not want to run the way the hillside turf course requires anymore, needing that early speed and the ability to quicken late. He always handled the two-turn distance well as a 3-year-old and we are hopeful that the running style of a race like the Wickerr will spark an improved performance. 

___________________________________________

Edited to add: Soreness remained as of 5/30. Lane way has been scheduled for a scan to check for a possible cause.

Lane Way to Target Daytona Stakes

Lane Way breezed a half-mile in :48.80 over the training track this morning at Santa Anita Park. Our veteran worked on the outside of stablemate Joyrider and was much the best in the team drill. 

Trainer Richard Mandella was very happy with the work and reported he seemed to bounce out of it in good order as well. 

The plan remains to target the G3 Daytona Stakes on May 26th at Santa Anita. 

Lane Way Grabs 3rd in the Siren Lure Stakes

Lane Way finished third in today’s Siren Lure S. at Santa Anita Park.

Our veteran broke well and sat a perfect trip behind the leaders who went quick down the hill setting an opening half-mile fraction of :43.16.

Lane Way had clear sailing and looked like a potential winner once crossing over the dirt, but failed to have the kick needed in the final sixteenth. #3 First Peace was a tough customer to his inside, not letting him by. Both foes were then confronted by the longest shot in the field #2 Johnny Padres and were no match for his big late rally.

Jockey Kazushi Kimura provided his feedback after the race on video, saying that despite running third, Lane Way never stopped running. The hard-knocking 7-year-old picked up his 19th in-the-money finish from a total of 22 starts and we are certainly proud of him.

We’ll be back with a post-race update in the coming days.

Lane Way Report

Lane Way was able to breeze a maintenance unrecorded half-mile this morning on a foggy Santa Anita track before expected rain over the next few days. As you will see in the video above, the son of Into Mischief looked well from the minimal we could see in the stretch and his exercise rider Jose Contreras said our veteran felt great. Everything remains well for Lane Way since his comeback race and our plan is to target the Siren Lure S. on April 21st at Santa Anita.

Lane Way Nominated to Shakertown Stakes @ Keeneland

Lane Way's not about to be upstaged, I guess. He was just nominated to the Shakertown Stakes (Grade 2) at Keeneland on April 6th! Road trip?

Lane Way Finishes a Hard Fought 3rd in the G3 San Simeon

Lane Way was third in today’s G3 San Simeon Stakes at Santa Anita Park and was unfortunately compromised due to not getting the most ideal trip. 

Our veteran got away from the gate well settling right off the early speed as expected early on but then found himself boxed in behind the speed with nowhere to go when #6 Ottoman Prince pressed to his inside. The field hit the dirt crossover in fairly compact company and our gelding had nowhere to go. By the time he was able to get clear running room, it was too late to catch the winner. He put in a nice late rally to hold off his stablemate Sumter and only came up a neck short for second and only beaten by three-quarters of a length for the win.

While it’s frustrating because we believe he could have won this race with a clean trip, it was still a positive to return with a solid effort. 

Upon inspection back at the barn, he suffered a cut on the back of his front left ankle. Whether that was caused from his hind foot, or another horse when things got tight is unknown but it does appear superficial. 

The Mandella team will monitor him and we’ll be back with a post race update.

Follow Up Report

Lane Way exited Saturday’s G3 San Simeon S. in good order. Our 7-year-old was a bit stiff but this is nothing out of the norm, especially given a hard effort. As mentioned in the post-race update, he did suffer a cut on the back of his ankle which is confirmed only superficial and should heal right up with no issues.

He earned another strong Beyer Speed Figure of 95 and an E-speed figure of . An updated copy of his lifetime past performances can be seen below. 

TODAY! (March 9, 2024)

 

See times and details in the "UPCOMING" feature 

at the top of this blog.

Lane Way is Entered in the Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes

LANE WAY is entered in Saturday's Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes at Santa Anita, 6-1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf course. His specialty! He holds the course record for 6F on turf at Santa Anita. This will be a rematch with Eclipse Thoroughbred's Air Force Red, who defeated Lane Way in the Dec. 2022 Joe Herndandez Stakes.

Details: R#7, Post#7 / 9, MIKE SMITH up, 3:30 PM PT / 4:30 PM MT.

He's getting a bit of press!

Bloodhorse: Lane Way Gets 2024 Campaign Rolling in San Simeon

DRF: Lane Way Comes in Fresh for San Simeon Stakes

[Photo credits to Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire]

Lane Way has Final Breeze Before San Simeon on Saturday

Lane Way had his final breeze this morning in preparation for Saturday’s Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Our veteran covered four furlongs in :48.80 under his usual exercise rider Jose Contreras. 

By intention, trainer Richard Mandella wanted him to go on the easier side with his race approaching in six days and was pleased with what he saw today.

Lane Way Nominated to G3 San Simeon

LANE WAY has been officially nominated to next Saturday's Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes at Santa Anita. A total of 18 horses were nominated and not all will make it into the gate, but Lane Way has a good chance. Entries happen on Wednesday. If both make it into the race, this will be a rematch with Eclipse's Air Force Red who defeated him in the 2022 Hernandez Stakes, where they ran 1st-2nd. 

[Photo of a previous work, photo credits to Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire]

Happy "Actual" Birthday to the Star of our Stable

LANE WAY

Foaled February 26, 2017

7 Years Old

________________________

            ~ Graded Stakes Winner

            ~ Multiple Stakes Winner

            ~ Course Record Holder at Santa Anita

            ~ 2X Breeders Cup Turf Sprint Nominee

Photo credit Gary Tasich 2023

Lane Way Work Out and Update

Santa Anita 2/24/2024 Dirt 5F 1:00.20 Handily 9/86 

Lane Way Workout Report

Lane Way breezed a solo five furlongs in 1:00.20 this morning at Santa Anita. Under his regular exercise rider Jose Contreras, your veteran son of Into Mischief did it under a strong hold impressively. Trainer Richard Mandella couldn’t be happier with Lane Way at the moment and has him penciled in for one final work ahead of our target race on Mar. 9th, the G3 San Simeon.

Lane Way's workout

Happy "Actual" Birthdays This Week!

            - Lane Way ~ Foaled February 26, 2017

            - Legitify ~ Foaled February 26, 2021

    - Straight to Glory (Royal Duet) - Foaled Feb. 27, 2021