Itsmyluckyday Opts for Kelso Route to BC Classic

Grade 1 Woodward winner Itsmyluckyday likely will not be taking the conventional route to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic on November 1 at Santa Anita Park. Rather than use the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup as a stepping stone to the $5 million Classic, the colt's trainer, Eddie Plesa, has opted instead for the Grade 2, $400,000 Kelso.

 

"We thought [the Kelso] was the best fit for him right now," said Plesa. "He's very efficient at a mile, and it makes no difference whether it's one turn or two turns."

 

The son of Lawyer Ron first made a splash on the 2013 Triple Crown trail, when he won the Gulfstream Park Derby and Grade 3 Holy Bull before finishing second in the Grade 1 Florida Derby. The Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa-owned colt went on to finish 15th in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Preakness, but his year ended prematurely after he was injured in Monmouth Park's Grade 3 Pegasus on June 16.

 

As a 4-year-old, Itsmyluckyday returned better than ever. The dark bay or brown colt started his year with a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap, but then rattled off consecutive victories in the Best of the Rest Stakes, the Majestic Light Stakes and the Grade 3 Salvatore Mile.

 

After finishing second in the Grade 1 Whitney behind Moreno, Itsmyluckyday turned the tables on that foe with a rousing triumph in the Woodward following a stretch-long duel. The win gave Itsmyluckyday his first Grade 1 score.

 

On Saturday morning, the Plesa-trained colt put in his final work before the Kelso, going four furlongs in 49.80 at his home base of Monmouth Park.

 

"It was just what we wanted," said Plesa. "He galloped out strongly and finished [his workout] in 11 [seconds] and change. He's coming into the race at 110 percent."

 

Source: NYRA Communications