Midnight Lute, the 5-year-old son of Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness (gr. I) winner Real Quiet, worked six furlongs in a bullet 1:10.60 on Santa Anita’s Cushion Track Jan. 14 in preparation for the Jan. 21 Palos Verdes Handicap (gr. II).
The TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) victor would be making his 2008 debut in the six furlong race, which offers a $150,000 purse.
Midnight Lute worked in company with Air Ace, who was clocked in 1:00 for five furlongs.
“He did it easy and was in hand,” Bob Baffert said of Midnight Lute’s move. “The time was quick, but the track isn’t super-fast. Good horses work fast, and Midnight Lute is a good horse.”
The likely choice for a 2007 Eclipse Award as champion sprinter, Midnight Lute boasts a record of 5-3-1 from 11 starts and earnings of $1,610,600.