Winner of the Hal’s Hope S.-G3 in his first start on dirt last time out,LEA (by FIRST SAMURAI) pressed the pace down the backstretch in Gulfstream’s Donn H.-G1, then took the lead with authority in the turn. Eclipse Champion and field favorite Will Take Change tired to chase him down in the stretch, but LEA prevailed by a comfortable 1 1/4 lengths. Ridden by Joel Rosario and trained by Bill Mott, LEA set a new track record, going the 1 1/8 mile-distance in a sensational 1:46.86.
Bred in Kentucky by owners Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm, LEA was raised at Claiborne Farm (see photo). He is the first foal out of Greenery, a stakes-placed daughter of Galileo. Now a Graded stakes winner on both dirt and turf, LEA has won six races and placed in four others from 12 starts. He has earned $709,618.