**Please see the attached photo of The Lumber Guy and jockey Mike Luzzi winning the Grade 2 Jerome at Aqueduct Racetrack. Credit NYRA,
Saturday, April 21, 2012
THE LUMBER GUY STANDS TALL IN JEROME
By Jon Forbes
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The Lumber Guy improved his record to 3-for-4 with a front-running victory in the 142nd edition of the Grade 2, $200,000 Jerome on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Wheeled back on 14 days rest off a fifth in Aqueduct’s Grade 1 Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial, The Lumber Guy claimed a narrow lead after exiting the chute and posted fractions of 22.98 and 45.83 while receiving pressure from Brigand. The two drew on even terms at the head of the stretch before The Lumber Guy shrugged off Brigand’s challenge and drove clear under Mike Luzzi’s drive, defeating his rival by 2 ¾ lengths.
“He left clean, he was in my hands,” said Luzzi. “It felt slower than it was, honestly. It wasn’t out-of-control speed. He’s just a talented horse. I know the fractions might have said differently, but to me it felt like we went slower and it felt like I still had a lot left [in the stretch]. He galloped out good, too.”
Off as the 2-1 second choice, The Lumber Guy returned $6.50 to his backers in the crowd of 5,794 and completed one mile in 1:36.04.
The Lumber Guy, who had previously won Laurel Park’s Miracle Wood in February, is unbeaten at distances ranging from six furlongs to one mile, with his Wood Memorial defeat coming at 1 1/8 miles.
Trainer Michael Hushion remains steadfast in his desire to give The Lumber Guy additional opportunities to compete over a route of ground.
“His gallop out looked good to me – from what I saw quickly – so I don’t know about distance limitations,” said Hushion. “I guess that 36 flat (1:36.04) is going to come up a nice time. Getting to the two-turn thing is a bridge we’re going to have to cross sometime pretty soon. Today, he showed what we were hoping he would show. When he got his head, in front his stride just opened up. His stride looked awfully good down the backside. He’s a nice, big mover.”
The Lumber Guy is owned by Barry Schwartz, who bred the son of Grand Slam in
Stirred Up was third, followed home by Dan and Sheila, Adirondack King, and Term Loan. Right to Vote was scratched.
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