Lone Rock Back to Routing in Temperence Hill

After considering an overseas venture at the beginning of this year, the connections of graded stakes-winning millionaire Lone Rock decided to keep the gelding at Oaklawn Park after an uncharacteristic sixth-place finish in the Feb. 12 Razorback Handicap (G3). The marathon specialist will now return to what he does best April 3 in the $150,000 Temperence Hill Stakes at the Hot Springs oval. Second in last year's Temperence Hill, Lone Rock went on to score three straight victories at the 1 1/2-mile distance following that effort, including an 11 1/4-length romp in the Brooklyn Stakes Presented by Northwell Health (G2). At a 1 1/16-miles, trainer Robertino Diodoro admitted the distance of the Razorback was "a little bit short" for Lone Rock. Prior to that start, the 7-year-old son of Majestic Warrior bested Temperence Hill rival and multiple graded stakes winner Tenfold when capturing the Dec. 18 Tinsel Stakes at Oaklawn traveling 1 1/8-miles. Owned by Flying P Stable and R.A. Hill Stable, Lone Rock will break from the inside post with regular pilot Ramon Vazquez in the irons. Long Rock's biggest challenge should come from the Indiana-bred Strong Tide. A stakes winner on the turf and graded stakes-placed on the turf, the Michael Lauer trainee decimated a 1 1/2-mile allowance optional claimer field by 10 1/2 lengths last out Feb. 25 at Oaklawn.