Lawrence the Roman Starts for New Owners in Whirlaway

(from Aqueduct report)
IEAH Stables will be the managing owner of the 3-year-old Lawrence the Roman when the undefeated colt starts Saturday in the Whirlaway at 1 1/16 miles on the Aqueduct inner track.

Lawrence the Roman has won his three starts by a combined margin of 25 ¼ lengths, leading to the purchase by International Equine Acquisitions Holdings with an eye on the Kentucky Derby.  Sanford Robbins also owns a piece of the colt. Lawrence the Roman will stay in the barn of trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.

“We’ve had a lot of nice horses with Rick,” said Mike Sherack, vice president of investor relations for IEAH.  “We put a lot of faith behind what Rick thinks of horses and our people want to go to the big races.”

For the first time Saturday, Lawrence the Roman will be running outside of New York-bred company.  He broke his maiden from off the pace going six furlongs first time out back in September. He continued to impress winning an entry-level allowance by 10 lengths going a one-turn mile over the main track. In his last start, Lawrence the Roman showed that two turns are no problem for him when he set the pace and drew off to win the Damon Runyon by 11 lengths.

“I’m expecting the same kind of race from him” Dutrow said.  “He’s continued to train very well.”

Thursday morning, the son of 2001 Horse of the Year Point Given   breezed three furlongs in :36 4/5 on Aqueduct’s fast inner track.

“The Whirlaway was on my mind since he won the Damon Runyon back in December,” Dutrow said.  “He’ll stay here and point for the Gotham  after Saturday.” The $200,000 Gotham (gr. III) is at 1 1/16 miles on March 10.

In his three starts, Lawrence the Roman has shown the versatility that horsemen love to see.  After coming from six lengths back to break his maiden, he has raced on the pace in his two route romps.  Edgar Prado, who rode the colt in his first race, will be in town Saturday to ride.

The Whirlaway pace should be an honest one with Lawrence the Roman, Count Fleet winner Pink Viper and stretch-out speed Sports Town.

Sovereign Stable’s Sports Town will be making his first start around two turns in the Whirlaway.  The Belong to Me colt has won his last two races at six furlongs for trainer John Terranova, including an entry-level allowance win at Aqueduct Dec. 27.

Klaravich Stables’ Summer Doldrums rebounded nicely for trainer Rick Violette to win an entry-level allowance by 8 1/2 lengths at Aqueduct Jan. 12 after he was beaten nearly 20 lengths by Nobiz Like Shobiz in the Remsen (gr. II) back in late November.
           
Pink Viper also finished well behind Nobiz Like Shobiz in the Remsen, then scored an 8-1 upset victory in the Count Fleet last time out. 

$65,000 Whirlaway Stakes (Race 8, 3:48 p.m.), 3-Year-Olds, 1 1/16 Miles (Inner Track)
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Summer Doldrums (KY), 118, Michael J. Luzzi
2. Lawrence the Roman (NY), 120, Edgar S. Prado
3. Brass Run (NJ), 118, Roberto Alvarado, Jr.
4. Sir Whimsey (VA), 116, Eibar Coa
5. Sports Town (KY), 118, Shaun Bridgmohan
6. Pink Viper (KY), 122, Eddie M. Martin, Jr.