Live Lucky triumphs in the Lake Superior (Michael Burns)
Chris Lomon/Woodbine Communications
TORONTO– Live Lucky kept his win streak intact with a sharp victory in the $100,000 Lake Superior Stakes, Sunday at Woodbine.
The six-furlong turf race for 3-year-old colts and geldings is part of the Ontario Sired Heritage Series.
Summer Commander blasted out of the gate and went straight to the front, but Rafael Hernandez, aboard Live Lucky, took control ahead of the opening quarter in :23.49, as Ready to Collect settled into second, followed closely by Summer Commander, and Junior Hot Shot.
Live Lucky, who came into the Lake Superior off a score in the Lake Huron, also part of the Ontario Sired Heritage Series, held a 1 ½-length advantage over Summer Commander through a half in :46.49.
In early stretch, Live Lucky, along the rail, appeared to be under siege, but Hernandez and the son of Perfect Timber found themselves in front by three lengths over their closest pursuer at the stretch call, in what would be a 4 ¼-length triumph in a time of 1:09.86 over a firm E.P. Taylor course.
Summer Commander was second, followed by Jo Daddy, Ready to Collect, Junior Hot Shot, Criminal Intent and Zippy Gizmo.
“When it comes to young horses, you want to see them build on what they bring to the table,” said Kevin Attard, who trains for Exline-Border Racing LLC, Michael Jawl, and Aaron Kennedy. “His first race was very nice, and he stepped up his game in the Lake Huron.”
On Sunday at Woodbine, Live Lucky did it once again.
Bred by Charles Fipke, it was the third win in as many starts for the colt, who won both his prior races, on June 9 and July 7, at five furlongs over Woodbine’s inner turf.
“He’s an unbelievable horse,” praised Hernandez. “Kevin told me to just play it by ear, see how the pace is going. And you can do anything [with this horse].”
A $55,000 purchase at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale, Live Lucky paid $3 for the win.
