Captain Luke speeds to victory in $454,000 Governor’s Cup

Favored Captain Luke (Captaintreacherous) followed up on last week’s maiden win with an even better harness racing performance, taking the $454,000 Governor’s Cup Final by 2 1/2 lengths in a 1:51 new life’s mark at The Meadowlands on Saturday night (November 25th).

Driver Todd McCarthy sent Captain Luke straight to the front leaving the gate and they led to the opening quarter in :27.3 but would soon be overtaken. Lou Vuitton (Tim Tetrick) took over command past the quarter and that move which would provide Captain Luke with a golden pocket trip.

Lou Vuitton led the field to the half in :56 and he would soon face a first-over challenge from Newsroom. Lou Vitton held onto the lead as the three quarters was passed in 1:24.1 with Newsroom idling first up and Captain Luke lurking in the pocket.

Lou Vitton drifted off the rail in the lane and Captain Luke shot through in an instant and sped away from his rivals, unleashing a lethal :26.4 kicker for the win. Longshot Its Saturday Night (Marcus Miller) closed from third-over for second ahead of Maxim Hanover (Andrew McCarthy). Lou Vuitton stayed for fourth.

CAPTAIN LUKE REPLAY

Winning trainer Tony Alagna explained the addition of Lasix, which was added for Captain Luke’s qualifier leading to the elimination for this race. Captain Luke is 2 for 2 in pari-mutuel races using the medication.

“You know a lot of times it seems like these colts have done a lot of travelling here and there, and have some sickness” he began. “Sometimes Lasix gives him that little extra boost at the end of the year and he just kept scoping with a little bit of blood mixed with mucus and we thought it was the time. It’s the end of his year and he has all winter to heal up. It seemed to really help him.”

Winning driver McCarthy said it was a case of being in the right place at the right time, picking up the last two drives behind Captain Luke.

“He’s a lovely little horse, obviously,” the teamster remarked. “He’s just a little green sometimes. He goes to accelerate a little quick sometimes and he’ll throw in a little step sometimes and you just gotta help him out but he’s got a great attitude and he’s just starting to put it all together now and I’m just fortunate that I picked him up at the right time. Full credit to Tony, he had him spot on.

Captain Luke, who started his career 0 for 10, is now two for 12 lifetime, and he has now earned more than $343,000 for owners Robert Leblanc of New York, Pryde Stables, Brad Grant, both of Ontario, Canada and Steve Head of Maryland. He paid $4.90 to win.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink