Lightning Fast

If you don’t see yourself betting on an American in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, but aren’t yet ready to hand the race to the sophomore filly Alpha Centauri, might I suggest spending a few moments and familiarizing yourself with a 7yo by the name of Lightning Spear?

Some background.  He made one start at age 2.  One start at age 3.  And after his first two starts at age 4 had amassed an undefeated record.  But since then, wins have been hard to come by.  He tallied one win each year in 2016 and 2017 (ages 5 and 6), and both came at the Group 2 level at Goodwood.  But just this month, again at Goodwood in the Sussex Stakes, he landed the Group 1 victory that had eluded him in his previous 15 (yes, 15) attempts.  And in the process, he won himself a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile and a possible date with the Niarchos family’s superfilly, Alpha Centauri.

One race does not a racehorse make.  But a visual review of Lightning Spear’s races this year show he just may be hitting his best stride at a time when most horses are past their peak.  And that can be said for not only his age, but his performance in races.  His win in the Sussex came with a burst of speed that turned what looked like a potential photo finish into a runaway.  And he did it by accelerating while between horses.  It was extremely impressive.  Before that, board finishes at Royal Ascot and Newbury showed he was on the improve.  It’s been a really good year for Lightning Spear.  And maybe this old man can show Little Miss Favorite a thing or two come November.