Taking a big step up in class, British-based Law Enforcement broke through for his first stakes win at the highest level on Oct. 13 in the Gran Criterium (Ity-I) at San Siro Racecourse in Milan.
Law Enforcement capably handled his 10 2-year-old opponents for trainer Richard Hannon. He tracked from second and reeled in pacesetter Sorella Bellato to get the lead inside the final furlong, winning by one length.
Sorella Bella, based in England with Mick Channon, prepped for the Gran Criterium in the Premio Coolmore Sept. 30 at San Siro, scoring convincingly by 3 1/2 lengths. The Clodovil filly settled for second in the Gran Criterium after finding Law Enforcement too tough when headed, but she stayed on well to narrowly outfinish French group III winner and favorite Pearl Flute by a nose.
The victory marked the fourth straight from five career starts for Law Enforcement, who finished one mile (1,600 meters) in 1:37.10 under Stephane Pasquier. He provided Hannon a second Gran Criterium winner, following Scintillo in 2007.
Law Enforcement finished second in his career debut at Sandown in July, but has put together a perfect record since, with subsequent wins at Epsom, Newmarket, and in a seven-furlong handicap for juveniles at Sandown Sept. 1 while toting high weight of 133 pounds.
He is from the second crop of Irish-based Lawman, whose 2-year-old daughter Just The Judge captured the Vision.ae Rockfel Stakes (Eng-II) at Newmarket, also on Oct. 13.
Bred in Ireland, Law Enforcement is out of the Rainbow Quest mare Broken Spectre, a full sister to 1992 Racing Post Trophy (Eng-I) winner and sire Armiger.