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Photo By: Coady Photography

Lawyer Ron makes it four wins in a row with a victory in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park

Hot Springs, Ark. (February 25, 2006) - Lawyer Ron continued on the path to Louisville with a victory in the $250,000 Southwest Stakes Saturday at Oaklawn Park. He captured the one mile event with a three-quarter length victory over the late closing Steppenwolfer, with Red Raymond some three lengths back in third, with Music School a disappointing fourth.

The race brought a small measure of joy to Lawyer Ron's connections following the accidental death of owner/breeder James T. Hines, Jr. earlier in the week. Trainer Bob Holthus, who with the win scored his fifth Southwest victory, had the son of Langfuhr ready to go from the start. As has been the case in his three runaway victories, Lawyer Ron broke very alertly but found himself lined up with three others going into the first turn, including second choice Music School. However, Lawyer Ron pulled jockey John McKee to the lead as the field made its way around the turn, with Travelin Leroy about a two lengths back in second and Music School settling back three or four lengths off the pace. Lawyer Ron was under a stranglehold, but widened his lead, going down the backstretch, getting the half mile in a sensible :48.02 over a track that was not playing especially fast.

The complexion of the race changed considerably with about a quarter-mile to run. Lawyer Ron got away with a slow third quarter of over 25 seconds, but Music School and Steppenwolfer closed in on the front-runner. Music School was the first to take a shot, but his bid only lasted briefly. Steppenwolfer was making a big sweeping move in the middle of the track with his sights set on Lawyer Ron. Jockey Corey Lanerie gave his mount plenty of encouragement, but could not get to the winner while finishing clearly second-best. Red Raymond, also trained by Holthus, ran on well to be third, some 2 1/2 lengths in front of Music School, who tired in the stretch. Mark of Success, Sharp Attack, Kingsfield, Celluloid Hero, and Travelin Leroy rounded out the order of finish. Agrapha was eased entering the stretch.

Lawyer Ron, who earned $150,000 for the victory, ran his record to 5-1-3 from 12 starts, but he has won his last four in a row. including three stakes. He now sets his sights on the Rebel Stakes (GIII), when the competition figures to get tougher, here at Oaklawn March 18. That race will probably be next for Steppenwolfer as well, but the others' plans remain to be seen.

Holthus said afterwards that liked the way things looked at the midway point of the race, "I felt pretty good when he turned down the backside, because I could see he was relaxed. He did everything well."

Meanwhile, Daniel Peitz, trainer of Steppenwolfer was also pleased. "I am not only happy, I am thrilled. Going a mile, I didn't know if we could handle everthing. Our horse wants to run further."

As for fourth place finisher Music School, trainer Neil Howard was less enthusiastic. "My colt did fine. He got a little tired. He is fit, but not really fit enough for these kind of horses."

Going off the 1-2 favorite, Lawyer Ron paid $3.00, $2.40, and $2.20. Steppenwolfer was worth $4.20 and $3.60 to place, with Red Raymond's show $7.00. The $2 exacta was $10.80 and the $1 trifecta $61.40.

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