Forty Five Red Goes Gate to Wire in Sheppard Final

YONKERS, NY— Burke Racing’s Forty Five Red cleared the lead around the first turn and heavily rated on the lead to draw away from the other freshman in the $111,250 Lawrence B. Sheppard Memorial Final at Yonkers Saturday night.

Forty Five Red under a hand driver in 1:55.4
(Mike Lizzi Photo)

Public choice Western Conquest, along with Gotta Laugh Again, broke into the opening turn, immediately opening up the race for other foes. Forty Five Red led the field by the quarter in :28.4. Thereisapaceforus sat the pocket and Disarrei was in third. Stevensville came first over into the stretch, with stablemate Gotta Laugh Again following him. Forty Five Red paced by the half in :59 (:30.1). Stevensville inched closer and applied pressure to Forty Five Red heading to three-quarters, timed in 1:27.3 (:28.3).

Forty Five Red drew away from Thereisapaceforus at the top of the stretch. Stevensville was trying to rally, Disarrei was coming up the passing lane with Golden Parachute alongside as Forty Five Red crossed the line 2 lengths in front of Thereisapaceforus in 1:55.4 (:28.1). Disarrei was third and Golden Parachute finished fourth.

Forty Five Red returned $7.60 to win. The son of If I Can Dream was victorious for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC and Our Horse Cents Stables. He is trained by Ron Burke and was guided to victory by Daniel Dube.