Velazquez gets first win since spill

Hall of Famer John Velazquez was all smiles after riding his first winner of the year (Adam Coglianese Photography) It took six trips postward for jockey John Velazquez to get his first win at the Gulfstream Park meet, but the Hall of Famer was able to celebrate after Got Lucky cruised to victory in the 8TH race on Wednesday’s card. Velazquez was injured in a serious spill at Santa Anita during the Breeders’ Cup and underwent surgery to remove his spleen. “That was awesome,” Velazquez said. “It felt great. She’s a nice horse. She’s been in a stakes race already, so they really liked her from the beginning. She showed up out there today. When you get to ride horses like that, it makes it a lot easier for you.” Got Lucky broke a bit slowly, but made her way forward and had the lead by the time they hit the quarter pole. The dark bay splashed home an easy winner, finishing 5 1/4 lengths in front of Color Me Flying. She covered the mile in 1:38 1/5.

Got Lucky, bred and raced by the partnership of Hill ‘N’ Dale Equine Holdings
and Philip J. Steinberg, finished second to the highly regarded Penwith in a
Belmont maiden on October 27. Trainer Todd Pletcher opted to send the daughter
of A.P. Indy into the $400,000 Demoiselle on November 30 and pulled off the
exacta, as Got Lucky ran second by just a neck to stablemate Stopchargingmaria.

“We were pleased with her first start and had always been pretty high on the
way she trains,” Pletcher offered. “A mile and an eighth seems like a natural
for her pedigree, so we took a shot in (the Demoiselle) and she ran big.

“You’re always worried about the first time on an off track, but her pedigree
suggested she would handle it, and she did,” Pletcher added. “I just wanted to
bring her back in an easier spot than that and, hopefully, we can build on this
one.”

The aforementioned Penwith prevailed in a one-mile allowance at Gulfstream on
January 2. She and Got Lucky could face off again in the $200,000 Davona Dale on
February 22.

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