Midnight Lute Colt Upsets First Out At Del Mar

Midnight Lute | Hill 'n Dale Farm

+MIDNIGHT PLEASURE (c, 2, Midnight Lute–Platinum Preferred, by Vindication) scored an upset win in this career bow for young trainer Shelbe Ruis, beating a loaded-looking maiden group from off the pace. Away sharply at 20-1, the dark bay was sent to sit in a clear third under Martin Garcia and moved three wide in tandem with 9-5 favorite Dangerfield (Into Mischief) after frontrunner Farley (Distorted Humor) on the far turn. The two of them inhaled the pacesetter and were on even terms at the top of the lane, but Midnight Pleasure soon began doing the better work while drifting out a bit. Leveling off after switching leads around the eighth pole, he finished strongly to earn a two-length tally over the chalk. Midnight Pleasure was a $28,000 Keeneland September yearling who turned into a $310,000 2-year-old in training buy at OBS April after breezing one furlong in :10 flat (video). His unraced dam is a half to four-time Canadian champion A Bit O'Gold (Gold Fever) and SW/GSP Arco's Gold (Gold Fever). The victory was the second in the nascent career of 25-year-old Ruis. Sales History: $28,000 Ylg '15 KEESEP; $310,000 2yo '16 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: $37,800. O-Mick or Wendy Ruis; B-Roger Long (KY); T-Shelbe Ruis.

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