Midnight Lute upset in Cigar Mile

Trainer Bob Baffert may have expected too much too soon from Midnight Lute. Four weeks after winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint, Midnight Lute was upset by Daaher in the $300,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Saturday.

Midnight Lute, who staged an explosive rally to win the BC Sprint at Monmouth Park, appeared in perfect position to take on Daaher as the two turned for home. But Baffert's 4-year-old colt was unable to close ground and was beaten by 2 1/2 lengths.

"He wanted to go, but the jock was just waiting and waiting," Baffert said, referring to jockey Garrett Gomez. "We're still learning about this horse. We learned today to let him do his thing."

Earlier, in the $200,000 Remsen Stakes for 2-year-olds, favorite Court Vision rallied in the stretch and caught Atoned in the final strides to give trainer Bill Mott a Kentucky Derby hopeful for next year.

Despite the loss, Midnight Lute remains the top contender to win the Eclipse Award as the nation's top sprinter, but the son of Real Quiet could have made a case for top older horse with a win.

It was Daaher, though, who came away with the victory in the final Grade 1 race of the year in New York.

"He's turned out to be a top horse," winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. "It worked out well. There was no one pressing us."

Daaher, ridden by Mike Luzzi, was bumped at the start but quickly moved to the front and stayed there. When Midnight Lute challenged briefly, Daaher dug in and held off the big colt owned by Mike Pegram.

Daaher, owned by Shadwell Stable, covered the mile in 1:33.79, and returned $6.70 and $2.80. Midnight Lute, the 1-2 favorite, paid $2.10. Naughty New Yorker was third, followed by Xchanger and Sir Greeley. There was no show wagering.

City Attraction and Diamond Isle were scratched.

Midnight Lute came into the Cigar Mile with five victories in 10 starts. Before winning the BC sprint by 4 3/4 lengths, he won the Forego at Saratoga on Sept. 1 in his first race after a 5 1/2-month layoff to correct a breathing problem.

Baffert spoke highly of Midnight Lute, and figured his best was ahead of him off his previous two wins. But Daaher would not be denied.

"When I got to the leader, I still had a lot of horse," Gomez said. "The other horse kept kicking and my horse flattened out at the eighth pole."

McLaughlin said the 3-year-old Daaher will be pointed to the Donn Handicap next year at Gulfstream Park followed by the Dubai World Cup or the Godolphin Mile in March.

Daaher has now won three straight and improved to 4-for-7. He earned $180,000 to boost his bankroll to nearly $450,000.

In an eventful Remsen, Court Vision ($3.60 on a $2 win bet) ran into trouble at the top of the stretch when contact was made on the inside with Big Truck and on the outside with Trust N Dustan. But jockey Eibar Coa managed to keep Court Vision rolling, and the determined colt finished with a rush to beat Atoned by a neck.

The race was declared official after a stewards' inquiry and the dismissal of a foul claim against Court Vision lodged by Big Truck jockey Alan Garcia. Trust N Dustan was third and Big Truck fourth in the six-horse field.

Court Vision, who has won three of four starts for WinStar Farm, covered the 1 1-8 miles in 1:52.48.

"He had to work his way out and bully his way out," Mott said. "This horse has been all about courage. He finished so strong once he got clear. He's got a bright future."

In other races:

_Mushka finished off a last-to-first run by sweeping past the field around the final turn and capturing the $200,000 Demoiselle for 2-year-old fillies by 4 1/2 lengths. Mushka was nearly 10 lengths off the pace before making her move on the far outside under jockey John Velazquez, who earlier won the $100,000 Discovery Handicap aboard Now a Victor.

Purchased for $1.6 million by Zayat Stables, Mushka won for the second time in three starts for Mott. The bay filly returned $10.40, with Elusive Lady and favorite Melissa Jo third in the seven-horse field.

_In the Discovery for 3-year-olds, late-developing Now a Victor ($5.90) made it 3-for-4 with his 1 1/4-length victory over runner-up Shopton Lane and five others. Velazquez has won the Discovery three years in a row. He won aboard Roman Dynasty last year and Magna Graduate in 2005. Winning time for the 1 1-8 miles was 1:50.15.