It’s Lookin at Lucky’s Santa Anita Derby to Lose

By GREG MELIKOV

Lookin at Lucky will be heavily favored to record his sixth stakes victory in the 73rd Santa Anita Derby on Saturday.

The son of Smart Strike leads all 3-year-olds in graded stakes earnings ($1.39 million) that determine the 20 Kentucky Derby starters.

Speculation over where Lookin at Lucky would race ended Monday when race horse trainer Bob Baffert decided the colt will stay in his backyard instead of returning to Oaklawn Park for the Arkansas Derby April 10. That’s where he won the Rebel Stakes despite a troubled trip in his only trip on the dirt. Jockey Garrett Gomez has been aboard all seven starts.

On Sunday, Lookin at Lucky, with six wins and a second, went six furlongs at Santa Anita in 1:12 handily. “He worked well enough to run him here,” Baffert told the Daily Racing Form.

“The positives to staying home are the extra week (before May 1 Kentucky Derby 2010) and the weather is going to be cool. He’s happy, and that’s all that matters.”

Well, others going in the $750,000 Grade 1 probably aren’t particularly thrilled since first money in the 1 1/8-mile contest is $450,000. However, the runner-up gets $150,000 and would help several runners make the Kentucky Derby field at Churchill Downs.

In fact, Alphie’s Bet, winner of the Sham, and Caracortado, with two minor stakes triumphs at Santa Anita Park, probably must finish at least second to make the trip to Louisville since their earnings are $90,000 and $108,000 respectively.

Alphie’s Bet, who will be ridden by jockey Alex Solis, went five furlongs in 1:02 1/5 handily last Thursday at Hollywood Park. Caracortado, whose third-place finish in the San Felipe was his first loss in six starts, went five furlongs in 59 4/5 on Sunday at Santa Anita with regular jockey Paul Atkinson at the reins, galloping out six furlongs in 1:13 4/5.

Sidney’s Candy, who has $180,000 to his credit, could assure a berth with a third place finish that’s worth $45,000. The son of Candy Ride, front-running winner of the seven-furlong San Vicente and 1 1/16-mile San Felipe, worked seven furlongs in 1:26 1/5. Jockey Joe Talamo rides again.

Most of the regally bred field needs to visit the winner’s circle in order to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.

Setsuko, runner-up in the Sham, went four furlongs in 46 2/5 handily on Tuesday at Santa Anita. The son of Pleasantly Perfect has hit the board in his last six outings dating back to last fall, but only has a maiden victory.

Skipshot has posted two allowance wins after breaking his maiden this year. The son of Skip Away posted a bullet 58 2/5 for five furlongs on Sunday.

Who’s Up is in a tough spot making his 3-year-old debut after winning the Generous Stakes on the Hollywood Park grass last fall. The son of Graeme Hall went five furlongs in 58 4/5 handily on Sunday.

Surprisingly, Santa Anita’s premier race hasn’t produced a Kentucky Derby winner in more than two decades since Winning Colors in ’88 followed by Sunday Silence the next year.

Giacomo did it in ’05 at boxcar odds off a fourth place finish in the Santa Anita Derby. Two Santa Anita Derby runner-ups also scored: Silver Charm in ’97 and Real Quiet in ’98.

About The Author

Greg Melikov: Horse Racing Handicapper/Turf Writer Greg Melikov has been handicapping and writing about horses for decades. His articles and columns appear in print and on the Internet around the world. Greg is a retired newspaperman who became a horse racing fan at 13 when he saw 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation, his favorite horse, whip 20 older horses at old Arlington Park.

"It’s Lookin at Lucky’s Santa Anita Derby to Lose" was posted on 31 March 2010 11:22 AM under Horse Racing News, Horses, Kentucky Derby, Race Tracks, Racing Picks & Betting Tips, Stakes Races, Triple Crown

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