Luther elevated to victory in G2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame

Paul Hickman and Nicholas Jones’ Luther made the grade in dramatic fashion when elevated to victory in Friday’s Grade 2, $400,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, a one-mile inner turf test for sophomores, at Saratoga Race Course.

The 4-5 favorite Zulu Kingdom, with Flavien Prat up for five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown, crossed the wire first in front of a rallying Luther with Clever Again in third and Tiz Dashing in fourth. However, an objection was launched by Hall of Fame jockey Joel Rosario aboard Luther for interference related to an incident heading into the first turn against both Zulu Kingdom and the Hall of Famer Javier Castellano-piloted Tiz Dashing.

Upon review by the Board of Stewards, the claim of foul against Prat and Zulu Kingdom was allowed with Luther elevated to victory and Zulu Kingdom placed fourth behind Tiz Dashing.

Luther-trainer Charlie Fellowes, watching on TV from the U.K., although pleased with the decision, more than understood the disappointment of Zulu Kingdom’s connections as his own charge, Shes Perfect, was demoted from a nose victory over favored Zarigana in the Group 1 French 1000 Guineas in May.

“I was watching here from home and it was difficult to see exactly what happened, but I could see that it was a really messy race and my fella got carved up a little early-on, then rushed up into position,” Fellowes said. “He really ran an unbelievable race to finish second, considering all of that. Had he had a smooth trip, jumped out well and maintained a position behind the lead, he would have legitimately won it on his own.

“I lost a big race, the biggest of my career, earlier this year when my filly Shes Perfect was demoted from the win in the French Guineas, so I know first-hand it’s not the way you want to win a race,” Fellowes added. “I feel really bad for the connections of the winner, as it’s a bad way to win and a very tough loss for them, but I’m unbelievably proud of my horse and how well he ran."

The New York-bred Mi Bago went to the lead from the inside post under Irad Ortiz, Jr. with Clever Again tracking to the inside of Tank. Zulu Kingdom crossed over towards the rail into the first turn causing Tiz Dashing to steady and the slow-starting Luther, who had clipped heels just after the start, to bump with Tiz Dashing and brush the rail.

Mi Bago led the field into the backstretch through an opening quarter-mile in 23.01 seconds and a half-mile in 47.56 with Tank 2 1/2-lengths back in second. Rosario attempted to make up ground aboard Luther with a rail run, but was stymied by Clever Again, who held his inside position.

Mi Bago maintained his lead into the final turn as Prat tipped Zulu Kingdom out for clear sailing and a game Luther again rushed up the rail, this time making headway. But there would be no reeling in Zulu Kingdom, who powered through the wire 1 1/2-lengths in front in a final time of 1:35.06.

Luther crossed the wire second 1 1/2-lengths in front of Clever Again with another half-length back to Tiz Dashing in fourth. Mi Bago and Tank rounded out the order of finish. Maui Strong, Out On Bail and main-track only entrant McAfee were scratched.

Rosario, who enjoyed his fifth win in this event following past success with Bricks and Mortar [2017], Raging Bull [2018], Decorated Invader [2020] and Ready to Purrform [2022], said he had a difficult run into the first turn.

“In the first turn, it looked like I got there and I got some room to get inside there and it looked like the seven horse [Zulu Kingdom] dropped in,” Rosario said. “There was another horse on the outside of me, so when he dropped over there, there was no room after that. I thought for a second my horse was going down; there was no room in there. He got out of there, put it all together, and ran a good race after that."

Castellano said Tiz Dashing was ultimately cost a position by the incident in the first turn.

"It was a tough position for everyone - tight corner, inner turf and unfortunately, we ended up with three horses in the same spot," Castellano said. "I was in the middle and securing my spot, at the same time I don't want to bother the other horses. I think it was a tough position for every single one.

"It was the beginning of the race, no question about it," Castellano added. "But in the end, it cost me third-place, absolutely."

Prat said he felt hard done by with the demotion.

“The trip was good out there, in fact it wasn’t much going into the first turn,” Prat said. “I think two horses [Luther, Tiz Dashing] were battling for the same spot and I was the one that took the blame.

“I thought I was clear,” Prat added. “I had two horses inside of me that were battling for the same spot, and I took the blame.”

Luther, by Frankel, was cutting back in distance from a closing third-place finish in the nine-furlong Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational on July 4 here when 1 1/4-lengths back of the victorious Test Score, who is entered in Saturday’s Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational.

The Hall of Fame victory marked a second stakes score for Luther, having taken the one-mile Ascendant traveling left-handed over good going in September at Haydock. The improving colt was second in his seasonal debut in April over the Chelmsford synthetic before a pair of Group 1 attempts in France when a 1 1/4-length fourth over firm footing in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains in May at Longchamp and off-the-board in the 1 5/16-mile Prix du Jockey Club in June at Chantilly.

Fellowes, a three-time Royal Ascot-winning trainer, has enjoyed success across the world, notably with Prince of Arran, who placed in the Melbourne Cup in three successive years. He secured his first Group 2 with Marbaan in the 2022 Vintage at Goodwood.

“I’m gutted I’m not over there, as they keep telling me how wonderful a place Saratoga is, especially as this might be the biggest - actually I would have to say it is the biggest - win of my career. To come all the way over there to America and win a Grade 2 at Saratoga for a lot of money is unbelievable,” Fellowes said.

Fellowes added that Luther is likely to return to his Bedford House Stables in Newmarket.

“I don’t think he’ll stay over there, and it may be best for him to come home now,” Fellowes said. “There’s nothing else for him, really, and we’ll consider races later in the year like the Breeders’ Cup Mile or possibly going down to Australia with him.”

Bred in Great Britain by Coln Valley Stud, Luther banked $220,000 in victory while improving his record to 9-3-2-1. He returned $5.70 for a $2 win bet.

Live racing resumes Sunday at Saratoga with a 13-race card headlined by the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney in Race 11. The stacked program also features the Grade 1, $750,000 FanDuel Fourstardave [Race 8] and Grade 1, $750,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational [Race 9] on the grass; as well as the Grade 1, $500,000 Test presented by Ticketmaster [Race 10] and Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special [Race 3]. First post is 12:05 p.m. Eastern. Gates open at 10 a.m. 

Saratoga Live will present live coverage and analysis of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule/.

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