Got Lucky (A.P. Indy) Earns Diploma

8th-GPX, $40,000, Msw, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:38 1/5, sy. 
GOT LUCKY (f, 3, A.P. Indy–Malka, by Deputy Minister) was second to Penwith (Bernardini) on debut at Belmont Oct. 27, but beat that rival next time when finishing a neck second in the GII Demoiselle S. going 
1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct Nov. 30. Hammered down to overwhelming 2-5 favoritism for this return to maiden company, the dark bay broke slowly and seemed to have trouble dealing with the sloppy footing. She ran two-wide in a tracking fifth through an opening quarter in :24.27 and a half in :48.28 before finally getting her feet underneath her and advancing on the leaders on the backstretch. Got Lucky seized control at the top of the stretch and began to draw steadily clear along the rail to score a 5 1/4-length victory over Color Me Flying (Distorted Humor). “That was awesome,” winning rider John Velazquez said. “It felt great. She’s a nice horse. She’s been in a stakes race already, so they really liked her from the beginning. She showed up out there today. When you get to ride horses like that, it makes it a lot easier for you.” This was Velazquez’s first win in six starts since he returned to the track Saturday after recovering from injuries he suffered in a spill during the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 1. Got Lucky’s dam Malta is a full sister to Girolamo, GISW, $443,800; Daydreaming, MGSW & GISP, $562,180; and Accelerator, GSW, $414,908. Malka is also a full sister to She’s a Winner, who produced GISW millionaire Bluegrass Cat (Storm Cat), and Supercharger, who produced GI Kentucky Derby winning millionaire Super Saver (Maria’s Mon). Lifetime Record: 3-1-2-0, $127,200. O/B-Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings Inc & Philip Steinberg (KY). T-Todd Pletcher