IEAH Stables’ Person of Interest, trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., most recently posted a head victory in a $33,000 maiden purse at Belmont Park on Thursday, June 24.
     Person of Interest, with jockey Jose Lezcano aboard, broke fifth from post position 3, raced near the rear through the opening half-mile, rallied nicely inside, and proved best after a stretch duel with Deflationary Fears. Smart Maneuver finished 6 ¼ lengths further back in third. Mr. Hadif, the early pacemaker (25.16, 48.77, 1:13.30), tired to finish fourth. Person of Interest struck the lead at the stretch call (1:36.71) and ultimately proved best after 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.65 over a firm turf course. He equaled his career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 85, and paid $4.00 to win as the favorite in the betting.
     The Equibase chart for the race read, “Person of Interest unhurried while under a good hold during the initial stages, took off with a sudden burst of speed when the rail opened a bit midway during the run down the backstretch, bulled his way past Smart Maneuver while in tight quarters, brushing with that rival, sustained the momentum once successfully through to reach a good striking position, had the rider tap on the brakes to avoid running up on the pacesetter, waited briefly, took off again when ample room appeared along the inside approaching the top of the stretch, charged to the front, got hooked up in a stretch duel with Deflationary Fears from the three-sixteenths pole onward, then proved best over that stubborn rival to earn the decision.”
     Person of Interest earned $19,800 in purses and now has a lifetime mark of 1-2-0 ($35,691) from seven starts. He is a 3-year-old colt by Tapit – Oriole Way, by Cahill Road.
     Upper Afleet, Marching Tune, Mystic Fever, and Known Gambler were scratched from the race for 3-year-olds. Six horses started.
     Person of Interest is entered to make his next start in a $28,000 claiming purse at Saratoga on Friday, July 30. Approximate post time is 6:56 p.m. for the day's ninth race.
     Freddie Lenclud has the mount on Person of Interest, who drew post position 6 in a field of 15 that includes five horses on the also-eligible list.
     The race for ages 3 and up which have never won two races will be run at 1 1/16 miles on turf.
     LAST UPDATED: July 30, 2010