Riva Ridge BC

Lost in the Fog (right) had clear sailing in the Riva Ridge (Jim Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com)

Harry J. Aleo’s LOST IN THE FOG (Lost Soldier) remained unbeaten, but it
didn’t come easy in Saturday’s $170,000
Riva Ridge Breeders’ Cup S. (G2). The
Greg Gilchrist trainee had already displayed plenty of class with easy victories
in his first six starts, but the prolific three-year-old had to show his heart
in order to repulse the bid of Egg Head (Honor Grades) through the long Belmont
Park stretch. He eventually pulled clear to win by 1 1/4 lengths, negotiating
seven furlongs in a quick 1:21 2/5 over the lightning-fast track.

“I think this was his toughest race,” Gilchrist said. “I could tell by the
way he came back that he was tired. They softened him up a little bit, but
believe me, their tongues were hanging out trying to catch him.”

Tani Maru (Cherokee Run) sprinted to the lead after the break but was
quickly caught by Lost in the Fog, who set the opening split in :22 1/5 with
Going Wild (Golden Missile) and Middle Earth (Dixieland Band) closely tracking to his outside.
The half-mile went in :44 2/5 as Going Wild began to fade, and Middle Earth
swung out to challenge the 2-5 favorite in upper stretch. Lost in the Fog
eventually put away that foe, but Egg Head threatened to run past as he closed
determinedly on the outside. Lost in the Fog dug down gamely to hold his rival
at bay.

The winner paid $2.80, $2.40 and $2.10, and Egg Head, the 9-2 second choice,
was good for $3.30 and $2.50. Middle Earth finished another 2 1/2 lengths back
at 27-1 and returned $3.30. The exacta totaled $7.40, and the 2-6-5 trifecta
$58. Survivalist (Danzig), Proud Accolade (Yes It’s True), Going Wild, War Plan
(Fusaichi Pegasus) and Tani Maru rounded out the order of finish.