A determined Lochte didn’t let a driving rainstorm hamper him on Saturday as he splashed to an impressive three-and-a-half length victory in the G3 Tropical Turf Handicap at Gulfstream Park West.
It was the third consecutive Stakes win for the son of Medaglia d’Oro, who led home a Darley-sired trifecta with Flashlight (by Shamardal) in second and a late-closing Amigo (by Hard Spun) in third.
As is his style, Lochte sat just behind the early leaders in third, made his move on the far turn, and hit the top of the stretch on the lead. He continued to pull away in the stretch for an easy win.
Bred in Kentucky by Maura Gittins, Lochte is out of Lemon Kiss, a Stakes-winning daughter of Lemon Drop Kid. Lemon Kiss is a full sister to Graded Stakes winner Kiss The Kid, and hails from the immediate family of Horse of the Year, Black Tie Affair.
Medaglia d’Oro is having a tremendous year in 2015. In addition to Lochte, Medaglia d’Oro is the sire of G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Songbird, G1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap winner Mshawish, and G2 winners Gold Medal Dancer, Sentiero Italia, and Mrs McDougal.
Medaglia d'Oro will stand for a fee of $150,000 (stands and nurses) in 2016.
