Ben Mondello and Adam Russo's The Student won the $75,000 Hoover Stakes Sunday at Pimlico to give trainer Scott Lake four winners with as many starters on the 10-race card.The Student, ridden by Roberto Alvarado Jr., raced two lengths behind P. Kerney down the backstretch, then moved to take command at the head of the stretch and won by three-quarters of a length over a racetrack surface rated "good" in 1:10.04 for the six furlongs. P. Kerney took second and Gold Cluster rallied by Abbondanza for third. Betting favorite Wild Jam finished next to last in the seven-horse field.The Student paid $6, $3.60, and $2.60 as the second choice in the wagering and topped a $38.40 exacta with P. Jerney ($4.80, $3.40) and a $199 trifecta with Gold Custer ($3.60).It was the 16th career victory in 31 starts for the 7-year-old son of Mutakddim, but the dark bay gelding's first added money score. It was his 12th first place finish at the distance.Lake, who won the recently completed Laurel Park winter meeting with 58 victories, including 16 multiple win afternoons, dominated the opening week of the Pimlico spring meeting with nine victories from 15 starters. Team Lake also won three races on the Thursday opening day card and a pair Friday. His other winners Sunday were Run Straight North ($10.60-first), Trucode ($3.20-fourth), and Southern Missile ($3-ninth).
(Chart, Equibase)