Lookin At Lucky gives Baffert 9 Grade 1s

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has enjoyed a red-hot season – particularly the second half of 2009 – tallying nine Grade 1 wins with five coming in the last 90 days. His undefeated 2-year-old star Lookin At Lucky was responsible for his latest Grade 1 triumph on Oct. 4th when the talented Smart Strike colt captured the $300,000 Norfolk S. (G1) at Santa Anita.



For Lookin At Lucky, the Norfolk was his final tune-up for what will likely be a run for Eclipse Champion honors when he lines up as the favorite in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) next month at his home base of Santa Anita. He remained perfect from four lifetime starts and notched his second Grade 1 victory in the 1 1/16-mile race, stalking the early pace under regular rider Garrett Gomez before proving best in the stretch to win by 1 ¾ lengths. The final time was 1:43.11 over the local synthetic surface, and Lookin At Lucky earned a 89 Beyer Speed Figure.



His win marked the fifth win in the Norfolk for Baffert, who also won the Grade 1 race with Roman Ruler (2004), Kafwain (2002), Flame Thrower (2000) and Souvenir Copy (1997). Lookin At Lucky increased his earnings to $483,000 for owners Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, who purchased the colt earlier this year at the Keeneland April Two-Year-Olds in Training sale under the advice of Baffert for $475,000.



“He’s just a very good horse,” Baffert said. “You’re seeing him unfold like I do, and it’s just one of these things where he’s got something different than my other ones have ever had. It’s pretty exciting.”



Lookin At Lucky broke his maiden at first asking at Hollywood Park in July before winning the Best Pal S. (G2) and Del Mar Futurity (G1) at Del Mar. Baffert’s other Grade 1 wins in 2009 include: Pioneerof the Nile in the Santa Anita Derby, Gabby’s Golden Gal in the Acorn, Internallyflawless in the Del Mar Oaks, Richard’s Kid in the Pacific Classic and Zensational in the Bing Crosby S., Pat O’Brien S. & Triple Bend H.