Itsmyluckyday targets Gulfstream Park Handicap

It’smyluckyday will be back in action in the one-mile Gulfstream Park Handicap (Leslie Martin/Adam Coglianese Photography) Itsmyluckyday, a prominent participant in the 2013 Triple Crown, is one workout away from making his 2014 debut in the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap on March 8. “We’ll probably work him on Friday, and then we’ll make a decision,” said trainer Eddie Plesa Jr., whose four-year-old is unraced since sustaining an injury last June. Itsmyluckyday was a star at Gulfstream’s 2013 Champions Meet, capturing the Holy Bull and finishing second behind eventual Kentucky Derby winner Orb in the $1 million Florida Derby. The son of Lawyer Ron finished 15th in the Kentucky Derby due to an obvious dislike for the sealed sloppy track, but rebounded to finish second in the Preakness. Itsmyluckyday’s successful sophomore campaign came to an abrupt end at Monmouth on June 16 in the Pegasus, in which he was pulled up and did not finish. It was later determined that the Kentucky-bred colt sustained a pelvic fracture.

“It’s been a long road back. We decided to take our time with him, and it
looks like he approved of it,” Plesa said. “I will tell you, when he goes to the
gate, no matter where he finishes, he’ll be 110 percent ready to run.”

Itsmyluckyday has been working steadily for his return and turned in a
five-furlong bullet workout in :59 3/5 last Thursday at Palm Meadows,
Gulfstream’s satellite training facility in Boynton Beach.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with how he’s been training,” Plesa said. “He’s
just about ready to get started.”

If Plesa gives thumbs-up for the Gulfstream Park Handicap, Itsmyluckyday
inevitably will clash with at least one Todd Pletcher-trained rival.
Gulfstream’s 10-time defending champion trainer has nominated eight horses for
the one-mile handicap, for which weight assignments will be released on
Saturday. Among the Pletcher nominees are Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice,
2013 Louisiana Derby victor Revolutionary, and up-and-coming allowance winners
Golden Lad and Catron.

Kiaran McLaughlin-trained Alpha and Ken McPeek-trained Golden Ticket, who
dead-heated for the win in the 2012 Travers, are among the most prominent
nominees for the 73rd running of the Gulfstream Park Handicap, along with
Gulfstream Park Sprint winner Falling Sky and multiple-stakes winners Jackson
Bend, Neck ‘n Neck and Uncaptured.

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