Lone Rock Romps by 7 1/2 Lengths in Isaac Murphy Repeat
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Photo: Coady Photography
Lone Rock wins the Isaac Murphy Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs
Flying P Stable, R. A. Hill Stable and Flying Partners' Lone Rock shook off a bid from Hosier at the head of the stretch and cruised to a 7 1/2-length victory May 3 in the $160,000 Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes for 4-year-olds and up at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Robertino Diodoro and ridden by Ramon Vazquez, Lone Rock completed 1 1/2 miles on a muddy track in 2:33.49, successfully defending his title in the race.
Lone Rock took the lead out of the gate from the inside post and moved into the two path while racing unopposed through fractions of :25.01, :49.51, 1:15.43, and 1:40.94.
Still racing off the rail, the Majestic Warrior gelding maintained a clear edge leaving the far turn with an opening along the rail that Hosier took advantage of to draw close, only to see Lone Rock spurt away again and widen his advantage to the wire.
"I thought I would be laying second with him, but nobody wanted to go to the front," said Vazquez. "He was comfortable and running easily so I just took the lead and let him do his thing. He was comfortable all the way. This horse is fun to ride. He does everything so easily."
Lone Rock returned $2.60 on a $2 win ticket. Hosier held for second, while Current completed the trifecta. The order of finish was completed by Tenfold and Celerity .
A 7-year-old bred in Kentucky by Town & Country Horse Farms and Pollock Farms out of the Hard Spun mare Ruby Lips, Lone Rock boosted his career earnings to $1,340,541 with a 16-5-1 record from 40 starts. He is the first foal out of Ruby Lips , a grade 3-placed winner who has produced three winners from four starters. Her 3-year-old Into Mischief filly Gerrymander won the Tempted Stakes in 2021 at Belmont Park and was second in the Frizette Stakes (G1) that year for Klaravich Stables and Chad Brown. She has an unraced 2-year-old More Than Ready colt named Sivako and a yearling filly by Tapit , and was bred to Constitution for 2022.
Watch: Diodoro Says Lone Rock 'Has Done a Lot for Our Team'
"(Marathon horses) are getting fewer and further in between," Diodoro said. "I can't say enough about this horse. He's been amazing. Ramon did a great job—it's not easy riding in a five-horse field and I think he did great to take charge to the lead. I love the way he broke today."