Midway Road Retired to Lane's End

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Midway Road, a graded stakes-winning Keeneland track-record setter and runner-up in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), has been retired from racing and will enter stud at William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky. The 5-year-old son of Jade Hunter captured a pair of graded stakes and ran second in two grade I events while racing as a homebred for Farish.

His fee is $7,500.

Named for an important thoroughfare in Central Kentucky, Midway Road did some of his best racing at nearby Keeneland. He set a track record of 1:46.78 for 1 1/8 miles in winning the 2004 Ben Ali Stakes (gr. III) over grade I winner Evening Attire by 11 1/4 lengths. His 123 Beyer Speed Figure was bettered only by two of Ghostzapper's efforts last year.

Midway Road won three other races at Keeneland. He captured last year's Fayette Stakes (gr. III) and two earlier allowance events, including one by 11 3/4 lengths. At Pimlico, he not only ran second in the Preakness, but was runner-up in last year's Pimlico Special Handicap (gr. I).

"He was one of our favorites," Farish said. "He showed tremendous talent by placing in two grade I stakes."

Midway Road captured one other stakes, the Tenacious Handicap at Fair Grounds last December. He failed to race this year, and retired with seven wins from 17 starts and earnings of $695,060 for trainer Neil Howard.

Midway Road is a half-brother to three stakes winners and is out of the stakes-winning Magesterial mare Fleet Road.

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