Lexitonian Upsets Mind Control in Concern Stakes
Image:
Description:
Photo: Jim McCue / Maryland Jockey Club
Lexitonian scores over Royal Urn and Mind Control in the Concern Stakes at Laurel Park
For Mind Control, who finished off the board in the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) in his previous start, the $75,000 Concern Stakes July 14 at Laurel Park may have looked to be a class break.
At seven furlongs, the 3-year-old contest was right in his wheelhouse after he won the one-mile Jerome Stakes to kick off the season, then placed second in the one-mile Gotham Stakes (G3) and won the seven-furlong Bay Shore Stakes (G3)—all three at Aqueduct Racetrack.
However, the Concern was also somewhat of a class break for Calumet Farm's Lexitonian, who last finished behind Mind Control in the Woody Stephens. Prior to that race, the son of Speightstown who was sent off in the Concern at odds of 18-1 won the six-furlong Chick Lang Stakes (G3) on Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course.
While Trevor McCarthy took Mind Control in hand and the pair raced in fourth along the rail, Lexitonian and Captain Von Trapp kept pressure on Compound It as he led the field through a quarter-mile in :22.63. Lexitonian and jockey Sheldon Russell inherited second as Compound It fell away as Captain Von Trapp got a half-mile in :45.35, just a head in front.
Mind Control and Royal Urn made a move together at the top of the turn, but while Royal Urn was able to go to the outside of the two leaders, Mind Control was caught behind them and could not get by. With the wire coming quickly, Lexitonian held command over Royal Urn, and Mind Control finally broke loose but the wire came too soon. The final time for the distance was 1:22.21 over a fast track.
The Jack Sisterson-trained Lexitonian won by a neck over Royal Urn, while Mind Control missed second by a nose. The winner returned $39.20, $12.40, and $5.80. Royal Urn paid $31.40 and $10.00, and Mind Control, who went off as the 2-5 favorite, returned $2.10.
"He ran such a good race at Pimlico, and we sort of liked the (Mid-Atlantic) region," Sisterson said. "He shipped well at Pimlico, and Pimlico is close (to Laurel) and the timing worked out perfectly."
A Calumet Farm homebred, Lexitonian is the first foal out of the Tapit mare Riviera Romper.