When trainer Bob Baffert gave substitute rider Shaun Bridgmohan a leg up on Midnight Lute for Saturday’s 28th running of the Grade 1, $250,000 Forego Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, he had but one piece of advice.

“I told him, if you get away clean, you’re going to have a fun ride,” Baffert said.

He did, and it was. Barreling into the lead midway on the far turn, the massive son of Real Quiet ran off to a 2 ½-length victory over Benny the Bull for his first win in four starts this year and first Grade 1 in this seven-furlong sprint.

“We’re really excited to get this win for the owners,” said Baffert, who trains the 4-year-old bay for Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. “This horse was very deserving of a Grade 1. He’s been a great horse from Day 1. It has been unfortunate he’s had the breathing issues. I was glad to see him get away clean. He looked tremendous in paddock, and he’s been working fantastic. The gate crew did a great job with him.

“I’ve been waiting for a race like this,” he added. “He needed to show off, and he did it at the right place – Saratoga.”

Bridgmohan, who picked up the mount when Edgar Prado apparently injured his ankle after being unseated after the finish of the seventh race, tracked favored High Finance and Attila’s Storm as they battled through fractions of 22.86 and 45.24. On the turn, he sent Midnight Lute after the leaders and the big colt responded in a big way, opening up by five lengths turning for home.

Kept to task through the stretch, Midnight Lute hit the wire in 1:21.06 for seven furlongs as Benny the Bull rallied from ninth to finish second. Attila’s Storm was third, another 9 ¼ lengths back.

“The Clerk of Scales told me that if Edgar didn’t ride, Bob wanted me to ride,” said Bridgmohan. “You don’t have as much time to study the race. I just went out there and did what Bob asked me to do. The main thing was to get him away from the gate. He is such a big horse that he breaks a little sloppy. He had his ears pricked forward and was just enjoying himself.”

High Finance, the 2-1 choice, was eighth, beaten more than 18 lengths.

“He’s supposed to be able to run :45 on this race track,” said trainer Rick Violette. “With these horses, that wasn’t a stupid pace. He just had no fight. He didn’t leave Attila’s Storm. We’ll take a good look at him and see if we can find a reason.”

Midnight Lute, who was making his first start since finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Commonwealth Breeders’ Cup over the Polytrack at Keeneland on April 14, extended his lifetime record to four victories in nine starts and earned $150,000. His bankroll now stands at $470,600, and he returned $7.20 for a $2 wager to his backers as the second choice in the field of 10.

“When you win a Grade 1 at Saratoga, that’s huge for a horse like him,” said Baffert. “I’ve been bragging about this horse. He was in my top ten, now he’s in my top eight.”

Richard Dutrow Jr., trainer of the runner-up, was pleased with his horse’s effort as well.

“I really wasn’t expecting that,” he said. “That was a real nice race from him. The winner was very good.”

Baffert, who on Monday will saddle Maimonides in the Grade 1, $250,000 Hopeful Stakes on closing day, said he had no immediate plans for Midnight Lute.

“I don’t think he is a (Breeders’ Cup) Sprint horse,” he said. “Three-quarters might be too short for him. We’re just going to absorb this and take it in.”