Lawyer Ron will look to add a fifth graded stakes victory to his resume when he takes on four others in the $150,000 Salvator Mile Handicap (gr. III) at Monmouth Park June 23.
The 4-year-old Langfuhr colt, owned by Hines Racing and trained by Todd Pletcher, has been assigned highweight of 121 pounds in what will be his fourth start of the year. He comes into the race off a solid third-place finish in the May 28 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I), and prior to that start, took the April 7 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II).
Lawyer Ron's main competition appears to be a stakes-winning son of A.P. Indy named Indy Wind, who will carry 119 pounds. Amy Tarrant owns and trains the 5-year-old chestnut horse, who took the May 28 Frisk Me Now Stakes at Monmouth in his last start.
"He has his best shot to win a graded stakes at this track," said Tarrant. "We've learned that he hates to ship, and that he loves Monmouth."
Stakes winner Gottcha Gold is seeking to avenge his loss in the Frisk Me Now, after finishing second by 1 3/4 lengths. Edward Plesa Jr. trains the homebred Coronado's Quest colt for Centaur Farms. The 4-year-old colt, who won two stakes races in 2006, will carry 117 pounds.
Both Chucker and Take The Bluff are seeking their first stakes victory and have been assigned 117 pounds. Richard Dutrow Jr. trains Chucker for Stronach Stables, while Richard Violette Jr. trains Take the Bluff for Red Diamond Stable, Peter Kizenko, and Patrick Mackay.
In post order, with jockey and weight assignment:
1. Indy Wind, Mario Madrid, 119
2. Gottcha Gold, Charles Lopez, 117
3. Lawyer Ron, John Velazquez, 121
4. Take the Bluff, Jose Lezcano, 117
5. Chucker, Eddie Castro, 117