Lanjo Lee (So Surreal) enjoyed a magical 2022 season in which he earned over $100,000 competing in large part in the New York Sire Stakes. Now at the age of four, the Jeff Sorenson-trained pacer is on the comeback trail following a lengthy layoff. Making just his second start of the year last Saturday (May 27), he went coast-to-coast in 1:52.2 at Saratoga Casino Hotel to prevail in an upper level conditional race. This week, Lanjo Lee moved into the Open Pace where he drew post five for his try in the $17,000 feature.
Chris Long piloted the four year old who was the public’s second-choice in the wagering while at odds of 2-1. The race’s favorite Belmont Major N (Jimmy Devaux) worked hard in the early going carving out first-half fractions of 26.4 and 56.1 before being confronted by Lanjo Lee who powered up alongside the leader. From there, it was on. Belmont Major N and Lanjo Lee traded strides for nearly an entire half mile before Lanjo Lee imposed his will in the stretch to stop the timer in 1:52.
The win time matched the fastest for any horse at Saratoga in the ’23 campaign. Belmont Major N wound up as the runner-up in the Open for the second consecutive week while Nuttin But Finesse (Leon Bailey) earned the show spot. Lanjo Lee, who is owned by Gordon Swift of Bath, NY, paid $6.50 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $26.60 and $83, respectively.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a first post time of noon.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Jessica Hallett
Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, New York
