Itsmyluckyday, Normandy Invasion could return to worktab
soon
A multiple stakes winner at Gulfstream Park last winter, Preakness runner-up
The three-year-old Lawyer Ron colt is stabled at Palm Meadows with trainer
“He made a big splash last year at Gulfstream and was fortunate to finish
Itsmyluckyday stamped himself a Kentucky Derby contender with wins in the
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In his subsequent start, Itsmyluckyday was pulled up in the Pegasus at
Monmouth Park and was later diagnosed with a pelvic fracture, similar to that of
2011 Derby winner Animal Kingdom, who came back from an eight-month layoff to
run second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile and then win the 2012 Dubai World Cup.
“Certain injuries, you say to yourself, ‘You hope he comes back.’ What he had
was pretty black and white,” Plesa said. “They get over it, they heal 100
percent and there are no side effects.
“Lucky enough for him, as much time as we’ve lost, the light at the end of
the tunnel is getting brighter because we can see that he’s getting closer to
where he’s going to be working and then running.”
Plesa has been encouraged by the energy Itsmyluckyday has shown in the
mornings.
“He’s exactly the same as he was when he went to the Preakness,” the trainer
said. “He used to drag me around that barn every morning, and he’s dragging us
around the barn now. It’s exciting to have him getting ready to run. When he’s
ready to run, then two or three weeks out we’ll find something for him.”
Trainer Chad Brown had high hopes for Normandy Invasion in 2013 before a deep
abscess in his front hoof ended the Tapit colt’s season prematurely.
Now, Normandy Invasion is back with Brown and galloping at Palm Meadows, and
nearing his first workout since the spring.
“He just started back galloping a couple of weeks ago, and he’s about ready
to breeze,” Brown said. “We’re just taking it day by day. We’ll let him tell us
when he’s ready.”
A maiden winner last November at Aqueduct, Normandy Invasion finished second
in the Remsen, fifth in the Risen Star and second in the Wood Memorial before
giving Brown his first Kentucky Derby starter.
Sent off at 9-1, Normandy Invasion took the lead at the top of the stretch
and held it to the eighth pole before tiring to finish fourth. Kept out of the
Preakness and Belmont by design to await a summer campaign, Normandy Invasion
was sidelined in early August to await 2014.
“Normandy actually spent the summer and fall over at WinStar Farm, and they
got him started for us and sent him to Palm Meadows in terrific shape,” Brown
said. “He’s a horse that has shown a lot of talent.
“He’s had his fair share of bad luck and a couple bumps in the road, but at
the end of the day he’s a really nice horse with a lot of talent and we’re happy
to have him back. I think that he’s moving really well right now under tack, and
we’re anxious to get him back breezing.”
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