News & Barn notes

Pletcher-Trained Lost Ark Improves To 2-For-2 Lifetime With 7 1/2-Length Romp In Saturday’s Sapling Stakes

August 27, 2022

Harrell Ventures LLC’s Lost Ark angled out from off the pace before powering home to an impressive 7½-length score in the $200,000 Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Lost Ark was dispatched the even-money favorite in the field of eight 2-year-old colts.  After sitting off the speed of :23.94 for the quarter and :47.51 for the half, Lost Ark stormed home to stop the timer in 1:37.20 for the flat mile and returned $4, $2.80 and $2.40.  Bourbon Spirit, who was among the early pacesetters, paid $7 and $4.40.  The exacta returned $23.60.  Major Dude checked in third by a head for a $3.40 show mutuel.

“I did not want or expect him to be too far back,” said winning jockey Javier Castellano.  “It was his first time going two turns and first time going longer so those were my only concerns.  I got the ideal trip inside and once I took him out he took off and galloped away.  A very professional horse.”

A son of Violence from the A.P. Indy mare Marion Ravenwood, Lost Ark is now a perfect two-for-two after winning his debut at Belmont Park on July 3.  Lost Ark is the younger half-brother of Nest, the multiple Grade 1 winning 3-year-old filly, also conditioned by Pletcher.  Saturday’s win boosted Lost Ark’s lifetime earnings to $169,500.

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Sunday, Aug. 28 – Jersey Bred Day, featuring 10 races of the best runners bred in the Garden State.  Post time is set for 12:15 pm.