Life in Shambles Seeks Third Straight Win in Gravesend

Newly minted graded stakes winner Life in Shambles will look to close out his 2018 campaign on a strong note, headlining a field of six in the $100,000 Gravesend Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward going six furlongs Dec. 23 at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

Claimed by trainer Jason Servis July 7 for owner Ara Aprahamian at Belmont Park, the 7-year-old gelding has made three starts for his new connections, including back-to-back wins in his last two starts, highlighted by a three-quarter-length score in the Nov. 22 Fall Highweight Handicap (G3) in which he bested fellow Gravesend entrants Always Sunshine and Runaway Lute.

"He's really been a great horse to have since he's been in the barn," said Henry Argueta, assistant to Servis. "We've been targeting this race since his win in the Fall Highweight, and he's been training very well going into Sunday."

Drawing the rail, Life in Shambles will be ridden by Jose Lezcano.

Gold for the King arrives at the Gravesend from an impressive 9 1/4-length victory in the Nov. 18 Thunder Rumble Division of the New York Stallion Series Stakes for trainer Charlie Baker and owner Francis Paolangeli. 

A 4-year-old New York-bred, the Posse gelding has four wins from six starts at the Big A.

The ultra-consistent bay will be cutting back to six furlongs for the first time since June 2017 at Finger Lakes when he finished second by a head in the Ontario County.

"He ran a big race last time, and he's come back and trained great coming into this race," Baker said. "We're hoping he can do the same here. Seven furlongs might be his best distance, but he's training well and loves Aqueduct, so we'll take our shot in here."

Gold for the King will depart from post 5 with Joel Rosario in the irons. 

Looking to rebound off a fifth-place finish in the Fall Highweight is Runaway Lute for trainer Gary Contessa and owners Harold Lerner and Nehoc Stables. 

A 4-year-old New York-bred son of Midnight Lute , the dark bay colt has two wins from four starts this year, including a 4 1/4-length win July 4 at Belmont Park. 

Prior to running in the Fall Highweight, he captured the Oct. 20 Hudson Handicap at Belmont. 

"He didn't run his race last time at all in the Fall Highweight, so we're going to put a line through that race," Contessa said. "He ran his race in the paddock, getting all worked up. This time around, we've brought him over to Aqueduct from Belmont for the week to get him more acquainted to his surroundings, so we're hoping for him to run to his ability."

Runaway Lute will leave from post 3 with Junior Alvarado. 

The field also includes Fall Highweight third-place finisher Always Sunshine for owner Stonehedge and trainer Ed Allard.

Entries: Gravesend S.

Aqueduct Racetrack, Sunday, December 23, 2018, Race 8

• STK
• 6f
• Dirt
• $100,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 3:47 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Life in Shambles (KY)	Jose Lezcano	125	Jason Servis	5/2
2	2Recruiting Ready (KY)	Eric Cancel	120	Stanley M. Hough	6/1
3	3Runaway Lute (NY)	Junior Alvarado	122	Gary C. Contessa	8/1
4	4Always Sunshine (FL)	Frankie Pennington	122	Edward T. Allard	6/1
5	5Gold for the King (NY)	Joel Rosario	122	Charlton Baker	9/5
6	6Skyler's Scramjet (KY)	Dylan Davis	122	Michelle Nevin	3/1