The undefeated LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike) will try to cement his status
as Southern California’s top juvenile in Sunday’s $300,000
Norfolk
S. (G1) at Oak Tree at Santa Anita. The day’s companion stakes for
two-year-old fillies, the $300,000
Oak Leaf
S. (G1), does not have a similar stand-out, and a well-matched group of 13
will battle for the prestigious Grade 1 laurel.
Lookin at Lucky, a perfect three-for-three, has answered every call so far in
his brief career. The Bob Baffert pupil showed professionalism when taking the
Del Mar Futurity (G1) and Best Pal S. (G2) in his past two, and will attempt to
keep his record intact as he stretches out to two turns for the first time.
Regular rider Garrett Gomez will guide the bay from post 2 in the 1 1/16-mile
test.
Eleven rivals will challenge the highly-regarded Lookin at Lucky, including
STERLING OUTLOOK (Eurosilver) and HURRICANE IKE (Graeme Hall), the respective
fourth and fifth from the Del Mar Futurity; the Rick Dutrow-trained JUNG MAN
SCOTT (Freud), runner-up in the grassy With Anticipation S. (G3) at this trip at
Saratoga; unbeaten I’m Smokin S. winner JOHN SCOTT (Bertrando); recent Fairplex
stakes heroes SEATTLE RULER (Roman Ruler) and GALLANT GENT (Yankee Gentleman);
English import LUCKY RAVE (GB) (Lucky Story); and sharp maiden winners DAVE IN
DIXIE (Dixie Union), ALFARABI (Yes It’s True) and PULSION (Include).
The Oak Leaf was supposed to feature Mi Sueno (Pulpit), queen of the Darley
Debutante S. (G1) and Sorrento S. (G3), who unfortunately suffered a
career-threatening injury on Tuesday. In her absence, Darley Debutante runner-up
BLIND LUCK (Pollard’s Vision) could inherit the mantle of favoritism. The Jerry
Hollendorfer trainee will renew rivalry with the respective third- through
fifth-place finishers from the Darley Debutante — LA NEZ (Storm Creek), IT TIZ
(Tiznow) and REPO (In Excess [Ire]).
Other contenders include Spinaway S. (G1) third BICKERSONS (Silver Deputy),
who ships in from the East Coast for Kelly Breen; good-looking maiden winners
ALWAYS A PRINCESS (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]), PURE CLASS (Purge), SOFTLY SINGING
(Holy Bull) and MARALAGO (Thunder Gulch); Fairplex stakes victress FAIRWAY ROAD
(Cuvee); and Generous Portion S. runner-up WHISPERING HUSH (El Corredor).