Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa’s Itsmyluckyday made short work of his rivals
“This horse has been training great,” trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. said. “(Jockey)
|
Itsmyluckyday thrust himself into the Kentucky Derby discussion with the
impressive win, but Plesa is unconcerned.
“I don’t get Derby Fever until at least April,” the trained noted.
Itsmyluckyday benefited from a couple of scratches, including major contender
Purple Egg, to score in the six-horse field. He raced within a couple of lengths
of pacesetter Undrafted, who showed the way through opening splits in :23 and
:44 4/5, before advancing to challenge on the far turn. Itsmyluckyday entered
the stretch drive with a short lead and plenty of momentum.
Sr. Quisqueyano tried to make a run at the leader after straightening for
home, but he was no match for Itsmyluckyday, who drew off nicely through the
final furlong. The Lawyer Ron colt completed the one-turn distance in 1:34 1/5.
“When I looked up at the fractions, I was somewhat concerned, but he just
kept on going,” Plesa said. “I’m very pleased with his effort.”
The winner paid $8.20, $3.60 and $2.60 as the 3-1 third choice. Sr.
Quisqueyano, the 5-2 second favorite, easily held second by 5 1/2-length margin
over Undrafted. It was another eight lengths back to Joshua’s Compromise, and
Almost English and 8-5 favorite Star Contender completed the order of finish.
Uptown Anthem was also scratched.
Bred in Kentucky by Liberation Farm and Brandywine Farm, Itsmyluckyday broke
his maiden in his second start at Monmouth Park last June. He followed that with
a close third in the grassy Tyro and then captured the off-the-turf Fasig-Tipton
Turf Dash. Following a three-length tally in the September 15 Foolish Pleasure
at Calder, the dark bay colt recorded a sixth in the Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot
and a fourth in the Dania Beach, the latter coming over Gulfstream’s turf on
December 15.
“We’ll evaluate what our options are,” Plesa said when asked about future
plans. “You’ve got the next race here (Grade 3 Holy Bull on January 26) and
you’ve got another one at Tampa (Grade 3 Sam Davis on February 2). The main
thing is: he’s had a full schedule. Let’s see how he comes out of this race and
we’ll go from there.”
Out of the stakes-placed Doneraile Court mare Viva La Slew, Itsmyluckyday
initially brought $47,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale before
selling to his current connections for $110,000 at the 2012 OBS March
two-year-old sale. He hails from the same female family of Vicar, who captured
the Grade 1 Florida Derby and Grade 1 Fountain of Youth in 1999.
With Tuesday’s $60,000 payday, Itsmyluckyday has now earned $185,600 from a
8-4-1-1 career line.
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com