racing career, while Bob Holthus was trainer, Lawyer Ron was ridden by John McKee, who called the colt one of the best horses he had ever ridden. McKee was the primary rider for Lawyer Ron's trainer, Bob Holthus. Prior to the 2006 Kentucky Derby, McKee had two Derby mounts: Greater Good in 2005 and Pro Prado in 2004. Beginning in October 2006, Lawyer Ron was conditioned by multiple Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher. On February 11, 2007, Lawyer Ron, who continued to be rank throughout his career (probably contributing to his loss in the 2006 Breeders' Cup Classic which went to Invasor), was ridden by jockey John Velazquez for an optional/allowance claiming race at Gulfstream Park. Velazquez kept control of the headstrong colt, forcing him to settle and then steady behind the field until finding his opening for the win. In the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap on April 7, 2007 Lawyer Ron was ridden for the first time by Edgar Prado. Although previously a headstrong horse, he settled early and moved to the lead on the outside passing the three-eighths pole and entered the stretch with a clear advantage. He pulled away to win by 4 lengths. Prado never used the whip on him. John Velazquez rode him to a track record time of 1:46.64 in the 2007 Whitney Stakes and then again a few weeks later, in the Woodward Stakes, which he won over a fast track by 8¼ lengths in a time of 1:48.60. In late October, he finished seventh in the 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic at Monmouth Park Racetrack on a sloppy track. Death In November 2007, Lawyer Ron retired with an initial stud fee of $30,000 at Stonewall Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. On July 11, 2009, he died from complications after colic surgery. At the age of six, he was standing his second season. His first crop of foals arrived in 2009. Races References Lawyer Ron's stats and bio Lawyer Ron Kentucky Derby 2006 Entrant Page External links SI Lawyer Ron's Record Time at the Whitney Handicap Upheld NTRA Curlin Reels in Lawyer Ron in the Gold Cup 2003 racehorse births 2009 racehorse deaths Racehorses bred in Kentucky Racehorses trained in the United States Brown County, Ohio Eclipse Award winners Thoroughbred family 3-l