Law Professor Seeks Relief in Overflow Fayette

Older horses a notch below Breeders' Cup quality have an opportunity Oct. 28 when Keeneland stages the $350,000 Fayette Stakes (G2) on the closing day of its fall meet.

The 1 1/8-mile dirt track lured an overflow field with 12 horses in the body of the race, plus two also-eligibles. Seven horses exit graded events, including Film Star , Law Professor , and O'Connor , respectively second, third, and fifth behind Zandon in the 1 1/8-mile Woodward Stakes (G2) Oct. 1 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Twin Creeks Racing Stable's Law Professor was a Breeders' Cup participant last year, when he finished fifth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland, losing by 7 1/2 lengths to Cody's Wish  .

Since then, Law Professor, a 5-year-old gelded son of Constitution  , has won two of five starts—taking the ungraded Queen's County Stakes and Excelsior Stakes at Aqueduct. In addition to the Woodward, his other losses of 2023 came when third in the Feb. 18 Razorback Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park and sixth in the May 19 Pimlico Special (G3) at Pimlico Race Course.

Out of action from the Pimlico Special until the Oct. 1 Woodward, Law Professor stalked the pace and turned in an even performance to check in 4 1/2 lengths behind the winner and a neck behind Film Star.

Film Star, a Linda Rice-trained 4-year-old son of Flatter  for owner Ronald Stewart, pressed the pace, took the lead leaving the second turn, and was passed by Zandon late in the stretch. 

Jose Ortiz is aboard the 6-1 morning-line shot, while Florent Geroux has the ride on the Rob Atras-trained Law Professor, who is 8-1.

Michael and Julia Iavarone and Fernando Vine Ode's O'Connor, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., was another 1 1/4 lengths behind Law Professor in fifth after a belated rally.

A start earlier, O'Connor had been second in the Charles Town Classic (G2). He is pegged at 5-1 odds with Tyler Gaffalione up.

A tepid morning-line favorite is BBN Racing's Trademark , who has been first or second in three consecutive stakes for trainer Vicki Oliver. He missed by a head when second behind Clapton  in the Sept. 30 Lukas Classic (G2) at Churchill Downs. Martin Garcia rides.

Other Threats

• Il Miracolo  ran third against 3-year-olds when 6 1/2 lengths behind Saudi Crown in the Sept. 23 Pennsylvania Derby (G1)
• Dash Attack , Twilight Blue , and King Fury  finished 1-2-3 in a Sept. 28 allowance optional claiming race at Churchill Downs.
• Giant Game , sixth in the Charles Town Classic, took a 2021 maiden race in his only other Keeneland start.
• Best Actor , a graded winner last year at age 3, led throughout in an allowance optional claimer at Aqueduct Sept. 21.