ARCADIA, Calif. – Ridden confidently, LNJ Foxwoods’ homebred Luck, who is out of a half sister to the legendary Goldikova, rallied with ferocity leaving the quarter pole and easily took Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes under Flavien Prat, winning in-hand by 3 ¼ lengths. Trained by Richard Baltas, Luck, a 5-year-old mare by Kitten’s Joy, got a mile and an eighth on turf listed as “good” in 1:48.26.
Next to last at the rail leaving the Club House turn, Luck was unhurried in the run up the backside but Prat stepped on the gas mid-way around the far turn and she wheeled five-deep at the top of the lane en route to easily gaining command a furlong out and providing Prat with his fourth win on New Year’s Day.
Second, beaten a pair of heads in the Grade III Red Carpet Handicap and the Grade I Rodeo Drive Stakes on Nov. 25 and Oct. 2, Luck, in her fourth stateside start for Baltas, was off as 4-5 favorite in a field of seven older fillies and mares and paid $3.80, $2.80 and $2.10 in what was her first graded stakes win. Out of the Caerleon mare Gold Round, Luck is now 8-4-3-0 and with the winner’s share of $60,000, she has earnings of $208,470.
English-bred Bodhicitta, who sat third early, outdueled multiple Grade I winner Mucho Unusual by a nose for second and paid $6.20 and $3.20 with Kent Desormeaux up at 7-1.
Ridden by John Velazquez, Mucho Unusual made the lead very briefly at the furlong pole and just missed the place, while finishing 2 ¾ lengths in front of pacesetter Moraz. Off as the second choice at 3-1, Mucho Unusual paid $2.40 to show.
Fractions on the race were 24.38, 49.26, 1:12.50 and 1:36.71.
Santa Anita Press Release
Photo: Benoit Photo
