On to the Breeders’ Cup for “Lucky” after G2 Indiana Derby win
Preakness winner Lookin At Lucky proved he was ready to move on the Breeders’ Cup, taking home the title in the 16th running of the $500,000-added Indiana Derby (G2) at Hoosier Park. Guided by rider Martin Garcia, Lookin At Lucky used a dazzling move around horses in the final turn to capture the win for trainer Bob Baffert and owners Karl Watson, Paul Weitman, and Mike Pegram.
Lookin At Lucky was near the back of the pack in the nine-horse field as Indy Bull and Fernando De La Cruz battled for the early lead. Lookin At Lucky was far off the leaders and was still trailing all but one horse as they headed into the final turn. With a four-wide move, he took aim on the top ones at the head of the lane.
In the stretch, Thiskyhasnolimit and Jamie Theriot had taken control of the lead. Lookin At Lucky rallied and in a few strides, he was clear and headed to the finish line for the win over the sloppy surface. With his ears up, Lookin At Lucky was a winner by one and one-quarter lengths over Thiskyhasnolimit. St. Maximus Gato checked in third.
“I thought he (Lookin At Lucky) would be a little closer,” said Baffert. “Down the backside, I was a little worried. But, he started making his run in the turn. The first thing I asked Martin was ‘What happened? Did you think you were riding Secretariat,’ and he said ‘yes.’ Lucky showed today just how good he is. He accomplished a lot today with the mud and all.”
Lookin At Lucky now has four wins in six starts this season. He won for the ninth time in 12 lifetime starts and extended his earnings to $3,007,278 with the winning purse of $294,278
“I never thought there would be an Indiana Derby,” said Pegram, who was born and raised in Princeton, Ind. “I never thought it would be for a purse of $500,000. I never thought there would be slots at a track. And, I never thought I’d have two partners like Karl (Watson) and Paul (Weitman).”
Lookin At Lucky brought home the second title in a row for Baffert in the 1 1/16-mile Indiana Derby. Misremembered under rider Victor Espinosa won the 2009 race in a track record time of 1:40.80. Lookin At Lucky completed his race in a time of 1:43.2.
Now it is on to Kentucky and Churchill Downs for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Nov. 6, where the competition will get decidedly tougher. Lookin At Lucky shipped back to Hollywood Park to train for the next few weeks until he is flown to Churchill Downs the week of the Breeders’ Cup.