Lucky’, BC Trio Meet in Cigar Mile

Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa’s Itsmyluckyday (Lawyer Ron) makes the final start of what has been a most successful career at the races in today’s Cigar Mile H. at Aqueduct, the final Grade I event on the New York racing calendar, before entering stud next season at Spendthrift Farm. And there’s every reason to believe he can go out on a winning note. Last year’s GI Preakness S. runner-up has been masterfully nursed back to health from a pelvic fracture this season by trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. and has been equally brilliantly managed. Winner of his first three starts off a nine-month layoff, including the GIII Salvator Mile going a two-turn configuration in July, the athletic dark bay was runner-up to Moreno (Ghostzapper) in the GI Whitney H. Aug. 2 before turning the tables on that one with blinkers added in the GI Woodward S. four weeks later. 

Itsmyluckyday was expected to earn his way into the Breeders’ Cup in the GII Kelso H., but found himself disputing the pace when Bradester (Lion Heart) was off slowly, then raced tightly between rivals and finished a lackluster third to Vyjack (Into Mischief). The trip to California was on the back burner, and the Cigar became the goal. “He came out a little bit tired, but soundness-wise he was fine,” said Plesa. “I think his performance in the Kelso was a combination of factors. [The Whitney and Woodward] took a toll on him physically, and he was put in a position between horses [in the Kelso] and was bounced around. Everyone expected him to win, but that’s why they call it horse racing.” 

Sprinters Hoping to Handle Mile…
The second-, third- and fourth-place finishers from the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint reconvene this afternoon. Secret Circle (Eddington), runner-up to Work All Week (City Zip) in defense of his title, will try to give trainer Bob Baffert his fourth Cigar Mile, but first since Congaree won his second straight renewal in 2003. Facing the starter for just the fourth time in 2014, the 5-year-old missed by a neck in the GII Palos Verdes S. in Feburary, but was missing until returning from an eight-month absence to be third to Rich Tapestry (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and next-out GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile hero Goldencents (Into Mischief) in the GI Santa Anita Sprint Championship Oct. 4. He switched off nicely enough last time out and came with a run that fell a half-length short, while finishing ahead of Private Zone (Macho Uno) by 1 1/4 lengths. The latter, two-time winner of the GI Vosburgh S., returns to New York for the Cigar after finishing a bang-up second to Flat Out (Flatter) in 2013. He came into that try off a disappointing 10th in the Sprint and was accordingly sent off at 32-1. Given his much stronger effort this time around, he will be about a tenth of that price and will be under the gun from the inside gate.

Bourbon Courage (Lion Heart) was last with a furlong to race in the Sprint, but made up 10 lengths while finishing in :11.15, according to DRF Formulator. “I think he’s as good as he’s ever been,” said trainer Kellyn Gorder. “He came out of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in really good shape; his weight is right where I want it and he’s feeling good.” Longshot players could do worse than Regally Ready (More Than Ready), who exits a tough-trip victory in the Oct. 30 Big Bear S. at Santa Anita. John Velazquez sees fit to ride.