Pegasus World Cup Longshot Profile: Breaking Lucky

Gunpowder Farms LLC’s Breaking Lucky has been confirmed as the latest entrant for the Jan. 28 Pegasus World Cup. Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, who purchased one of twelve starting gate slots for $1 million, bought into the five-year-old son of Lookin At Lucky along with West Point Thoroughbreds, making Breaking Lucky the ninth confirmed Pegasus entrant.

Based out of Canada, under trainer Reade Baker, Breaking Lucky has a 3-4-3 record from 16 starts. He won last year’s Grade 3 Seagram Cup and followed up with a strong fourth place effort in the Grade 1 Woodward, where fellow Pegasus entrant Shaman Ghost came out first in a blanket finish. After running a disappointing eighth in the Lukas Classic, Breaking Lucky finished second behind Gun Runner in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap last time at Churchill Downs.

Breaking Lucky may be able to avoid Gun Runner again, who is stuck at Fair Grounds due to the quarantine resulting from EHV-1 positives, but will still have his work cut out for him in the Pegasus. Besides Shaman Ghost, Breaking Lucky will be facing Arrogate and California Chrome, the top two from the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Keen Ice, who ran third in the Classic, will also be joining the field.

Current entries are rounded out by Eragon, Neolithic, War Story, and Semper Fortis. Although the rest of Breaking Lucky’s 2016 performances were in the top three, this longshot will have to step up his game in order to finish there in the Pegasus. Amongst the current entries, he looks like he’s competing for third at best.

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, who campaigned 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic champion Mucho Macho Man, may have chosen a longshot for their Pegasus entrant, but they are excited about their new acquisition. The Pegasus will be the ultimate test for Breaking Lucky, where he will have the chance to step up and beat his odds, or settle behind the best.

By Christine Oser