Lookin At Lucky is good, too; romps in Haskell

[August 02, 2010]  OCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) -- As the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners surged to the lead around the far turn in the $1 million Haskell Invitational, more than 40,000 fans stood in anticipation of a thrilling stretch duel.

But just like that, with a shake of reins, it was all over at the top of the stretch: Lookin At Lucky burst into the clear under Martin Garcia and cruised to a four-length victory over Trappe Shot in Monmouth Park's showcase race.

"He's been sitting on a really big race," winning trainer Bob Baffert said of the colt's first start since winning the Preakness. "He's been training just unbelievably. It's good to see him finally come out of his shell.

"He's growing up and he stamped himself as a great horse."

The emphatic win Sunday confirmed Lookin At Lucky's status as the best 3-year-old in the country, and it came against a star-studded, seven-horse field considered the strongest in the 43-year-old history of the race. It was the first time the race featured the Derby and the Preakness winner.

A bay son of Smart Strike, Lookin At Lucky won for the third time in five starts this year, and the 2-year-old champion improved his career record to eight wins in 10 starts for earnings of $2.7 million for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman.

"He finally got to show off," Pegram said. "Bobby has always told us what kind of horse we had, and he proved it today."

First Dude finished third, followed by Derby winner Super Saver, Afleet Again, Ice Box and Our Dark Knight. Uptowncharlybrown was a morning scratch.

With the win, Hall of Famer Baffert becomes the first trainer to win the Haskell four times. He also won with Point Given (2001), War Emblem (2002) and Roman Ruler (2005).

Sent off as the 6-5 favorite, Lookin At Lucky returned $4.40, $3 and $2.40. Trappe Shot, who missed the Triple Crown races but had won four in a row, paid $3.40 and $2.60. First Dude, second in the Preakness and third in the Belmont Stakes, paid $3 to show.

The winning time for the 1 1-8 miles over a fast Monmouth Park track was 1:49.83

The Triple Crown races produced three winners -- Drosselmeyer won the Belmont Stakes -- and did little to determine a leading 3-year-old. But Lookin At Lucky was considered by many to be the best, although a troubled trip in the Derby, where he finished sixth, raised a few questions.

The answers came on a cool, sunny day at the Jersey Shore track.

Sitting fourth behind First Dude, Our Dark Knight and Super Saver, Lookin At Lucky, who drew the No. 1 post but was taken outside on the first turn, made a move for the front coming out of the backstretch. Super Saver, with Calvin Borel aboard, also moved as did Trappe Shot.

The Derby and Preakness winners battled briefly for the lead before Garcia asked Lookin at Lucky for more and that was that.

"When I saw that move at the turn, I knew it was over," Baffert said. "It's like winning a classic."

Garcia said, "Bob told me `you know you're on the best horse, just give him a nice breather and then send him."

Trainer Todd Pletcher thought Super Saver ran well, but added "he got a little tired off the layoff. Hopefully this race will move him forward."

The Derby and Preakness winners could meet again in the $1 million Travers on Aug. 28 at Saratoga. If they do, Lookin At Lucky will be the horse to beat.

If not for bad luck, Lookin At Lucky may have won 'em all. In the Derby, he drew the rail, got roughed up by other horses twice, nearly went down but still finished sixth. After the race, Baffert switched riders from Garrett Gomez to Garcia in an attempt to change Lucky's luck.

It worked in the Preakness, where he got a smooth trip and beat First Dude by three-quarters of a length.

In his two other defeats, Lookin At Lucky had a difficult trip in the Santa Anita Derby and was bumped while running wide in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

"We've been waiting for a coming out party," Baffert said. "He's just improving and getting better and better."

[Associated Press; By RICHARD ROSENBLATT]

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