Viva Lad Steps Up for Presque Isle Mile
Description:
Harry and Tom Meyerhoff's talented miler Viva Lad steps up to stakes company for the first time in the $200,000 Presque Isle Mile Stakes Sept. 7 at Presque Isle Downs & Casino.
The 4-year-old Midnight Lute gelding, who has four wins at a mile at the Pennsylvania track from five starts this year, drew post 2 when entries were taken Sept. 2. A full field of 12 plus two also-eligibe entrants is set for the race on the all-weather main track, which goes as race six on the eight-race card. Post time for the Presque Isle Mile is 7:40 p.m. EDT. TVG will provide live coverage of the Presque Isle Mile Stakes and the Sept. 8 Presque Isle Masters Stakes (gr. II).
Trained by Michael Trombetta, Viva Lad went winless in eight starts last season but has come into his own this year, winning his first three starts by a combined 10 1/2 lengths. He started with a seven-length romp after leading most of the way in a $25,000 maiden claimer in May in his season's bow, and then tried allowance company next time out June 10.
He tracked the pacesetter from second before winning that race in a long drive by 3 1/2 lengths. Rated in midfield in his subsequent start June 25, he was up in time for a neck victory.
Trombetta shipped Viva Lad to Woodbine for a July 20 optional claimer going 1 1/8 miles, but he finished a well-beaten sixth, 16 1/2 lengths behind the winner. Back at Presque Isle and at his preferred distance Aug. 17, he bounced back for a 1 3/4-length triumph over Presque Isle Mile entrants Allie's Event and I'll Call.
Both winners going at mile at Presque Isle Downs this year, Allie's Event is an 8-year-old Wild Event gelding owned and trained by Lori Smock, and I'll Call is a 4-year-old Smart Strike gelding campaigned as an Augustin Stable homebred with trainer Graham Motion.
Trainer Kathleen O'Connell has Eugene P. Cahalan's Moonlight Express, an also-eligible entrant, ready to try a mile after winning all three career starts in six-furlong races this summer at Presque Isle Downs. The 4-year-old Notional colt was unraced at ages 2 and 3.
[raceEntries date="9/7/2014" country="USA" trackid="PID" racenumber="6"]