‘Lucky’ gives Baffert his 7th Best Pal

Trainer Bob Baffert has high hopes for his emerging 2-year-old star colt Lookin At Lucky, who on August 9th added his name to a prestigious list that includes seven juveniles trained by Baffert to win the $150,000 Best Pal S. at Del Mar.

Now 2-for-2, Lookin At Lucky professionally collared the pacesetter on cue from jockey Garrett Gomez and took command in the stretch of the 6 ½-furlong event. He hit the wire a comfortable three-quarters of a length in front and stopped the clock in a quick 1:16.06 over the Del Mar Polytrack. The performance earned him an 85 Beyer.

“This is what dreams are made of. There’s nothing like good 2-year-olds in the barn,” Baffert said. “I’ve thought he had a lot of talent. You know, Garrett doesn’t say a lot about horses, but he’s always thought this one was good. We’ll be back in the [Grade 1 Del Mar] Futurity [Monday, September 7].”

Gomez confirmed: “He’s a nice horse and I think he’s only going to get better.”

Lookin At Lucky has earned $123,000 for owners Karl Watson, Paul Weitman and Mike Pegram, who purchased the son of Smart Strike earlier this year at the Keeneland April Sale for $475,000. The talented bay colt will be targeted for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita later this fall as the primary goal for his 2-year-old campaign, with next year’s Classics being the main long-term goal.

Baffert’s star-studded list of top juveniles to win the Best Pal includes: Worldly Manner (1998), Flame Thrower (2000), Officer (2001), Kafwain (2002), Roman Ruler (2004), What A Song (2005) and Lookin At Lucky (2009).