Live Lucky and jockey Kazushi Kimura winning Race 4 on June 9, 2024, at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
TORONTO, Ont. – A pair of Ontario-sired 3-year-old turf stakes, the $100,000 Thunder Bay, and $100,000 Lake Superior, share the spotlight on Sunday at Woodbine.
Established in 2021, the Ontario Sired Heritage Series is comprised of three $100,000 legs and a $100,000 final for two divisions: 3-year-old colts & geldings, and 3-year-old fillies. The total purse structure for the series is $800,000.
All three legs and the final are contested over different distances and surfaces: the Woodbine Inner Turf Course, the Woodbine E.P. Taylor turf, the Woodbine all-weather track, and Fort Erie dirt track.
In addition to the $400,000 in purses for each division, there is $70,000 in bonus money allocated to the top point earners in each division at the end of the series.
Seven hopefuls, including unbeaten Live Lucky, will vie for top prize in the $100,000 Lake Superior, to be contested at six furlongs over the E.P. Taylor turf.
Trained by Kevin Attard for Exline-Border Racing LLC, Michael Jawl, and Aaron Kennedy, the son of Perfect Timber won his debut, a five-furlong sprint on the Woodbine inner turf on June 9 and followed it up with a victory at the same distance and on the same surface in the Lake Huron Stakes (part of the Ontario Sired Heritage Series) on July 7.
“Obviously, everyone connected with him is very happy with those first two races,” said Attard, who will also send out Zippy Gizmo in the Lake Superior. “I thought both were excellent efforts.”
The dark bay’s career bow saw him come from off the pace to record a 3 ¾-length triumph in a time of :56.88 over firm going. In the Lake Huron, the victory, in :56.59, was earned in a decidedly different fashion.
“In his first race, he came from off the pace and in his latest, he took control by the half,” noted Attard. “To see him win in different ways was very impressive.”
The multiple graded stakes winning trainer felt his rookie was able to learn something from both efforts.
“When it comes to young horses, you want to see them build on what they bring to the table. His first race was very nice, and he stepped up his game in the Lake Huron last time.”
Live Lucky breezed five furlongs over the main track in 1:00.40 on July 28 in preparation for his latest test.
“Now, he has another challenge and hopefully, he can step up again.”
Bred by Charles Fipke, Live Lucky was a $55,000 purchase at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale.
Christopher Escoffery is the groom.
Field for the Lake Superior (Race 3)
