Law Professor tallied his fourth career stakes win Saturday at Aqueduct with a dominant performance in the $125,000 Excelsior S., drawing off at the top of the stretch to win by 4 ¼-lengths.
The 5-year-old son of Constitution is a stakes winner on both turf and dirt, including his lone graded score in the 2021 Santa Anita Mathis Mile (G2). Law Professor is the leading earner this year for Constitution, who currently tops the Fifth-Crop sire list by stakes winners and stakes horses.
Law Professor, ridden by Manny Franco, broke well from post two and was in a three-way battle going into the first turn. Franco wrangled his mount back off the lead and moved off the rail entering the backstretch. He held his spot until entering the final bend, where he came on even terms with Keystone Field for the lead. That foe offered only mild resistance and Law Professor was clearly in front turning for home. He came down the lane unthreatened and won in hand.
“I think being back here definitely helped. He likes it here and seems to run his best races here,” trainer Rob Atras said. “Even though we didn’t get the most ideal trip, Manny was able to work it out and he ran a big race. He trains well here.”
Law Professor, who was produced by the Ghostzapper mare Haunted Heroine, banked $68,750 in victory while improving his record to 6-2-2 from 16 career starts. His lifetime earnings are now $851,890 for his owner/breeder Twin Creeks Racing & Farm. Haunted Heroine has a 2-year-old full sister to Law Professor named Testament.
