Sunland Park: Odds-on Lucky Jeremy wins Riley Allison Derby

Odds-on favorite Lucky Jeremy loomed close to the lead until making his move in the second turn on the way to winning by two lengths Friday in the $100,000 Riley Allison Derby, a two-turn mile at Sunland Park.

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Owned by Jeremy Ramsland and trained by Bill Morey, the Lookin At Lucky colt came off a nearly three-month break to win for the second time in a row. The Allison Derby is a traditional steppingstone to the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby, a Kentucky Derby 2024 points prep that will be run Feb. 18.

After spotting early pacesetter Alotaluck no more than two lengths at any call, Lucky Jeremy (4-5) moved forward going five wide when asked by jockey Christian Ramos in the far turn. Alotaluck (5-1) kept up until the final furlong, when Lucky Jeremy pulled away.

Alotaluck placed second, two lengths better than stalker Surroundedbyangels (5-1), who came in third. It was another 13 1/4 lengths back to fourth-place Da Ringo (16-1) with Kae Gae (14-1) fifth and Crafted (2-1) last in the field of six 3-year-olds.

Ramsland also owns Surroundedbyangels and Norwegian Callum, who was scratched from the race by stewards. Ham Sandwich was removed from the field by a veterinarian’s decision.

The winning time was 1:36.54 on the fast track. The only fraction on the Equibase chart was 1:23.79 for the first seven furlongs. The live timer shown on the race telecast appeared to have been tripped prematurely by a flock of birds that took flight from the infield near the clubhouse turn.

Lucky Jeremy paid $3.80, $2.80 and $2.10; Alotaluck $3.80 and $3.00; and Surroundedbyangels $3.40.

A $50,000 purchase last year, Lucky Jeremy broke his maiden last out Oct. 29 at Churchill Downs, leading the whole way in a 6 1/2-furlong race contested in the slop. He made his debut Sept. 29, finishing a close fifth in a six-furlong, maiden test at Churchill.