Distinctiv Passion Rockets to Midnight Lute

Distinctiv Passion came out running for jockey Mike Smith and was never headed en route to a 1 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 Midnight Lute Stakes (gr. III)  Dec. 27 at Santa Anita Park.



The brilliantly fast 4-year-old son of With Distinction blazed through quarter-mile fractions of :21.23 and :42.99, and still had something left for the drive while completing 6 1/2 furlongs in a snazzy 1:14.55.



Trained by Jeff Bonde for owners Edward Brown Jr., Alan Klein, and Phil Lebherz, Distinctiv Passion notched his first graded stakes win at odds of 6-1. He defeated the stalking Heir of Storm handily, with Appealing Tale a nose back in third in the field of seven sprinters.



Secret Circle, whose last win came in the 2013 Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), finished a disappointing fourth as the 3-10 favorite, 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner.



Distinctiv Passion was making just his third start since finishing eighth in the 2013 Malibu Stakes (gr. I) one year ago. A flashy speedster, he was a question mark at the Midnight Lute distance but was coming into the race in peak form after a five-furlong turf score over allowance foes at Del Mar Nov. 14.



Breaking from the far outside post, he led Heir of Storm up the backstretch by just a head before kicking clear by a couple of lengths and angling in on the turn. He maintained a 1 1/2-length advantage at midstretch and was kept to his task under some left-handed urging by Smith.



"I was just trying to get along with him," said Smith, who rode Distinctiv Passion for the first time. "The way to keep him going turning for home is to get along with him on the backside. If you can't do that, they won't finish for you. I wanted to keep him happy and I was in a great post to do that.



"Believe it or not, they went in :42, but he rated. Rating doesn't necessarily mean that you have to go slow. He's got a high cruising speed. I got him comfortable and he was happy going that fast. He had his ears up; I thought we were going in twenty four. Down the lane he was able to hold them off. I was running on fumes by the end, but you're supposed to when you go that fast."



Heir of Storm, ridden by Gary Stevens, held on well for second over Appealing Tale and Victor Espinoza. Secret Circle, in his first start since a runner-up effort in the Cigar Mile (gr. I) Nov. 29, was one-paced through the lane after a stalking trip under Martin Garcia. He was followed by Seeking the Sherif, Bahamian Squall, and Bolita Boyz.



Bred in Florida by Harold J. Plumley out of the West by West mare Dance For the Green, Distinctiv Passion improved his career line to 6-1-4 in 13 starts with earnings of $336,180.



"I was happy he drew outside," Bonde said. "Historically, I've never trained a horse that's quicker up the backside. He wants to lock on the bridle like an alligator, and over the last six months in the mornings, he started to relax and then kick and run late.



"I was hoping it transferred to the afternoon. Today's the first time I ever saw him sit and then kick and run, so he is learning, finally."



Bonde gave full credit to Smith for the victory. The Hall of Fame rider replaced Edwin Maldonado, who was committed to Seeking the Sherif.



"Mike Smith's the master. We were lucky to get him," he said.



The dark bay colt was a $65,000 purchase by Mersad Metanovic and Bonde, agents, from the consignment of Kim Harrison, agent, at the 2011 Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. August sale of selected yearlings. He also was sold earlier that year at the OBS January winter mixed sale, bringing $17,500 from W.D. North Thoroughbreds when consigned by Kaizen Sales on behalf of his breeder.

Carrying 119 pounds, Distinctiv Passion paid $15.60, $9, and $10. He keyed a $268.80 exacta with Heir of Storm, who earned his first graded stakes placing while returning $22.20 and $22.40. Appealing Tale paid $22.40 to show.