Millionaire multiple Grade 2 winner Lone Rock continues to progress toward his 2023 debut after working five furlongs in 1:02.40 Sunday morning at Oaklawn for trainer Robertino Diodoro.
Sunday's work was the fourth in the last 21 days at Oaklawn for Lone Rock, who returned to Diodoro's barn in early January.
The 8-year-old Majestic Warrior gelding is unraced since late July. Diodoro said Lone Rock could resurface later in the Oaklawn meeting, possibly in the $150,000 Temperence Hill Stakes for older horses at 1 ½ miles April 2. Lone Rock, a distance specialist, finished second in the Temperence Hill in 2021 and won the race last year.
“One work at a time,” Diodoro said.
After winning the Tinsel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles and the Temperence Hill last season at Oaklawn, Lone Rock captured the Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes at 1½ miles May 3 at Churchill Downs. He then finished third in final two starts of 2022 – the Brooklyn Stakes (G2) at 1½ miles June 11 at Belmont Park and the Birdstone Stakes at 1¾ miles July 28 at Saratoga. Lone Rock swept both of those races in 2021.
Lone Rock resumed light training late last year in Florida after a lengthy break following the 2022 Birdstone.
“The part I like is he wasn't turned out because of injuries,” Diodoro said. “He was turned out because we thought he was tired and deserved a break. Hopefully, he comes back good.”
Lone Rock has a 16-5-3 record from 42 lifetime starts and earnings of $1,412,541. Lone Rock has flourished at marathon distances since Diodoro reclaimed the gelding for $40,000 in November 2020 at Churchill Downs.
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