Sat Oct 27 16:14:51 2007

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Midnight Lute takes Breeders' Cup Sprint

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Oceanport, NJ (Sports Network) - Midnight Lute, ridden by Garrett Gomez, exploded down the stretch to capture the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint at Monmouth Park. The victory was the second for Gomez on Saturday's Breeders' Cup card.

Midnight Lute got off a bit slower than the other nine horses. Talent Search took the lead and led the field up the backstretch. Coming off the final turn Talent Search and Idiot Proof were by themselves on the lead.

Angled off the rail by Gomez, Midnight Lute had clear sailing down the middle of the stretch. The colt accelerated past the leaders and went on to win by five lengths.

Idiot Proof held on for second followed by Talent Search and Benny the Bull. Completing the order of finish was Kelly's Landing, Bordonaro, Commentator, Greg's Gold, Smokey Stover and Forefathers

Attila's Storm was scratched from the race Friday morning.

The time for the six furlongs on a sloppy track was 1:09.18.

Trainer Bob Baffert and Gomez combined earlier to win the Juvenile Fillies race with Indian Blessing. The Sprint win was worth $1 million to put Midnight Lute's career earnings at better than $1.5 million.

The colt, owned by Mike Pegram, has won five of 10 lifetime starts. He won the Forego Stakes in his last start at Saratoga and has been ridden by four different jockeys in his last four races.

Midnight Lute paid $7.00, $4.00 and $3.00. Idiot Proof returned $6.60 and $4.60, and Talent Search paid $8.60 to show.