Lookin At Lucky

Graded Stakes Earnings Position:  #1

Trainer:  Bob Baffert
Owner:  Mike Pegram
Pedigree:  Smart Strike – Private Feeling by Belong To Me
Jockey:  Garrett Gomez

Lookin At Lucky, last year’s 2-Year Old Champion, will likely go off as the 2nd favorite behind Eskendereya in this year’s Kentucky Derby.  With an 8 – 6 – 1 – 1 record, Lookin At Lucky certainly has the past experience, boasting 3 Grade 1 wins in his short career.

Lookin At Lucky broke is maiden at Hollywood Park on July 11th, 2009 under Garrett Gomez.   He then went on to win the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes, Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity, Grade 1 Norfolk, and Grade 1 CashCall Futurity as a two year old.  His lone 2-year old loss came as the favorite in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Championship, where he finished 2nd from gate 13.

To start off his 3-year old campaign, Lookin At Lucky shipped to Arkansas to try dirt for the first time in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVy3M2U4QDI

Lookin At Lucky held on by a nose as he was challenged down the stretch by Noble’s Promise, another potential starter on May 1st.  Baffert was happy with his performance on the dirt, and so he was shipped back to California to run in the historic Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

When April 3rd rolled around, the sun was shining and everyone was ready for a great day of racing at Santa Anita.  Lookin At Lucky looked brilliant in the paddock and was made the post time favorite.  Unfortunately, on this day, if it could have gone wrong, it did for Lookin At Lucky.  Bumped, jostled, and nearly toppled over the fence, he fought back to finish a respectable 3rd to Sidney’s Candy and Setsuko.

Lookin At Lucky - Kentucky Derby Starter

After the race, Garrett Gomez and Victor Espinoza came to physical blows over the race.  Gomez was not happy that Espinoza saw Lookin At Lucky coming on the inside and decided to veer his horse over.  Gomez then had to wait through a treacherous couple of days as Baffert and company contemplated whether or not to yank Gomez off the horse.

But, in the end, Baffert, Pegram, and Gomez have another live shot in the Kentucky Derby.  You might be able to get a lot better price for this stud because of his trouble in the Santa Anita Derby.  Take a long hard look at Lookin At Lucky before you place your bets on May 1st.