Lawn Ranger Punches BC Ticket in Bourbon

Turf Stable LLC’s maiden-winner Lawn Ranger made the grade and punched his ticket into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf division with a decisive half-length victory in the Grade 3, $250,000 Dixiana Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland on Sunday.

 

Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Thirtysilverpieces jumped to grab the lead early, followed closely by Less Than Perfect. The pair led the opening quarter mile in :23.26, the half in :48.17 and the three-quarters in 1:14.40. Lawn Ranger, ridden by Chris Landeros, settled on the inside as much as four lengths behind the pacesetters on the backstretch. Majestico and Croninthebarbarian followed in tandem while Danny Boy and Can’t Happen Here brought up the back of the pack. Chief Kitten trailed the field in the early going.

 

Turning for home, Lawn Ranger fanned three-wide into the stretch to take on the leaders. Thirtysilverpieces dropped out of contention near the 3/16 pole while Less Than Perfect was ultimately unable to hold off the challenge from Lawn Ranger.

Danny Boy made a huge late run to get up for second and the 2-1 favorite Can’t Happen Here was third by another half-length. Majestico was fourth.

 

The final time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:44.41.

 

Second to runner-up Danny Boy in his debut at Ellis Park in August, the Kenny McPeek-trained Lawn Ranger followed up with a 3 3/4-length maiden special weight score at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 13 before graduating into the stakes company.

 

Bred in Kentucky by Scott and Carol Ricker, the 2-year-old U S Ranger colt passed through the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Yearling Sale for $50,000 in 2013. 

The winner improves his record to two wins and a second from three starts and earnings of more than $200,000.