LRL: Long layoff, no problem for Lute Warm * The Racing Biz

“She’s a good filly,” trainer Brittany Russell said with a laugh after Friday’s eighth race allowance at Laurel Park. “It’s just a tough time of year to bring back a pasture mare.”

Russell wasn’t wrong, of course; the talented but star-crossed Lute Warm had missed virtually the entire grass season in Maryland and returned for what will likely be just this single start before Russell will have to make a decision: put away the Midnight Lute mare for the winter or send her south, perhaps to the Fair Grounds.

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It’s the latter route that Russell says he’s leaning towards, and after today’s return, it’s no surprise.

Under jockey Sheldon Russell, Lute Warm went on the attack midway through the race and rode clear to win a third-level allowance by one and a half lengths in a fast 1:34.94 for a mile over firm grass.

The win was her fifth in nine starts and boosted her bankroll to almost $280,000.

Lute Warm paid $6.00 as a 2-1 favorite. With 3-1 third choice Amie’s Symphony in second place, the exacta returned $8.80 on a one dollar bet.

Lute Warm, a $125,000 purchase by Bridlewood Farm and Madaket Stables LLC, did not make the races until March of her four-year-old season. Once put on the field in her second career start, Lute Warm posted four wins in the girls and benefits division before suffering back-to-back losses at Keeneland and a stakes match at the Fair Grounds.

The last loss came on December 21, 2024. Lute Warm only returned to action today, almost eleven months after that appearance.

“We gave her some time [and tried to bring her back in the spring]Russell said. “And I worked her over once, and [she had] a super small thing, but it was a nagging thing, and we just had to forget about it for the summer.

After a steady run of work – and some races that didn’t fill up – Russell was happy to get her lead in today’s race.

Jamie Ness sent the fast Central Casting, who appeared on paper and on the track, as controlling speed. She dished out moderate early fractions of 24.27 seconds for the first quarter and 48.48 for the half.

But not wanting to let Central Casting sneak away at the front too easily, Sheldon Russell and Lute Warm then went on the attack and went outside to put pressure on the leader. Those two were head-to-head for the next quarter mile, with Lute Warm gradually sliding away in the lane, while Central Casting, whose previous efforts had gone a turn, faded to sixth.

In the lane, Amie’s Symphony and Cut From Class were willingly late for the minor awards, but neither posed a threat to the winner.

“She trains in the morning and she’s on the bike. She’s fresh, you know,” Russell said. “So I just wanted to see her feel a little bit at home, and it was just a good journey.”

NOTES It was the second victory of the day for the Russell-and-Russell team. They had previously won a two-year-old allowance/optional claimer with 1-9 favorite Peach Tie… Trainer Jamie Ness won a pair and scored with Hagrid’s Flame (Martin Chuan) and Wild Vine (Mychel Sanchez)… Leading rider Yedsit Hazlewood won twice, including with 15-length winner Biker Baley, a starter winning the nightcap for the first time, a $16,000 maiden claimer…