Kentucky Derby 2017: The Case for Lookin At Lee

In quite possibly the most topsy turvy Kentucky Derby season in recent memory, it wouldn’t be all too shocking to end up with some big prices for the big dance. If you’re on the lookout for this year’s Golden Soul or Commanding Curve to blow up the exotics, Lookin At Lee might be your horse.

I’ve been a fan of the son of Lookin At Lucky since early in his career. A horse who always fires his best shot, Lookin At Lee is 6-for-9 in the money and rounded out the superfecta in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last fall.

Sure, 2-for-9 isn’t the flashiest of records, but the horses Lookin At Lee has finished behind since his last win in the Ellis Park Juvenile aren’t anything to be ashamed of. Not This Time, One Liner, and champion juvenile and likely Derby favorite Classic Empire not once, not twice, but three times.

First catching my eye in Keeneland’s Breeders’ Futurity, Lookin At Lee broke post 12 of 12 and closed like a freight train from 14 lengths out of it to finish only 3 lengths behind rising superstar Classic Empire. I kept my faith in the Asmussen charge heading into his sophomore year, but after dismal third and sixth place finishes in the Southwest and Rebel, it wasn’t looking too bright.

Entering the Arkansas Derby in desperate need of points, Lookin At Lee was finally kept a bit closer than dead last before picking off horses one by one around the far turn. Sixth place and about six wide entering the stretch, Lookin At Lee’s full head of steam was brought face to face with Classic Empire’s hind end. Yanked sharply inside, he dove down to the inner rail and suddenly found himself inside of Conquest Mo Money, before being yanked back out again to end up in between a tiring Malagacy and Classic Empire. With the advancing Classic Empire quickly closing that gap, Lookin At Lee was again forced to switch paths to the eventual winner’s outside before hitting the wire a mere 1 ½ lengths behind.

The Arkansas Derby was arguably Lookin At Lee’s most impressive and important race to date. Despite switching paths multiple times and losing ground from all his weaving, he still managed to sustain his bid, which started around the ½ mile pole, to finish a very close third, all the while holding off a fast charging Sonneteer. He ran his final three furlongs in :37 and his final furlong in :12, which is the second fastest closing fraction out of the entire Derby field (behind only the aforementioned Sonneteer.) He finished well despite running into quite a bit of trouble, and in doing so likely learned a valuable lesson that is beneficial come Derby Day. He showed his ability to overcome adversity while still firing his best shot, which is something I love to see in a Derby horse. His performance in the Arkansas Derby gave me a renewed sense of faith and reminded me of the colt who first caught my attention last fall at Keeneland.

With nine races under his belt, Lookin At Lee is a well seasoned colt with experience at Churchill Downs and the jockey for the course, Corey Lanerie, picking up the mount. Kentucky Derby 143 has the potential to host a fast early pace to set up for late closing exotic bombers. For exotic betting fans, Lookin At Lee is a must use for your Derby tickets.