Daaher upsets Midnight Lute in Cigar Mile

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Ozone Park, NY (Sports Network) - Daaher got the best of Breeders' Cup Sprint champ Midnight Lute in Saturday's $300,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct. Ridden by Michael Luzzi, Daaher covered the one-mile stakes in 1:33.79.

Midnight Lute was sent off as the 1-2 favorite in the five horse field. However, Daaher was the 2-1 second choice based on his win last month in the Jerome Handicap.

Xchanger took the lead coming out of the gate, but Daaher quickly went to the front followed by Xchanger, Sir Greeley, Midnight Lute and Naughty New Yorker. Approaching the far turn Daaher continued on the lead with Xchanger second and Midnight Lute third on the outside.

Around the turn for home Midnight Lute, with jockey Garrett Gomez, moved into second behind Daaher and appeared ready to take the lead at any time. Daaher would not allow the favorite an easy race and proceeded to extend his advantage down the stretch.

Daaher hit the wire 2 1/2 lengths in front of Midnight Lute followed by Naughty New Yorker, Xchanger and Sir Greeley. The Richard Dutrow entry of Diamond Isle and City Attraction was scratched.

Owned by Shadwell Stable, Daaher earned $180,000 with the win to increase his winnings to $453,260. In his first year of racing, the three-year-old has won four of seven starts.

"After this race we'll look to the Grade I Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park," said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, "and then onto the Dubai World Cup. We always thought that he was that kind of horse, so it's nice to see it come out in his last few starts."

Bred in Canada, Daaher earlier this year competed in the first two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown. He was fourth in the Queen's Plate and third in the Prince of Wales.

Daaher returned $6.70 and $2.80. Midnight Lute paid $2.10. There was no show wagering.