Itsmyluckyday rolls in Gulfstream Park Derby

Itsmyluckyday thrust himself into the Kentucky Derby discussion with the

impressive win, but Plesa is unconcerned.

"I don't get Derby Fever until at least April," the trained noted.

Itsmyluckyday benefited from a couple of scratches, including major contender

Purple Egg, to score in the six-horse field. He raced within a couple of lengths

of pacesetter Undrafted, who showed the way through opening splits in :23 and

:44 4/5, before advancing to challenge on the far turn. Itsmyluckyday entered

the stretch drive with a short lead and plenty of momentum.

Sr. Quisqueyano tried to make a run at the leader after straightening for

home, but he was no match for Itsmyluckyday, who drew off nicely through the

final furlong. The Lawyer Ron colt completed the one-turn distance in 1:34 1/5.

"When I looked up at the fractions, I was somewhat concerned, but he just

kept on going," Plesa said. "I'm very pleased with his effort."

The winner paid $8.20, $3.60 and $2.60 as the 3-1 third choice. Sr.

Quisqueyano, the 5-2 second favorite, easily held second by 5 1/2-length margin

over Undrafted. It was another eight lengths back to Joshua's Compromise, and

Almost English and 8-5 favorite Star Contender completed the order of finish.

Uptown Anthem was also scratched.

Bred in Kentucky by Liberation Farm and Brandywine Farm, Itsmyluckyday broke

his maiden in his second start at Monmouth Park last June. He followed that with

a close third in the grassy Tyro and then captured the off-the-turf Fasig-Tipton

Turf Dash. Following a three-length tally in the September 15 Foolish Pleasure

at Calder, the dark bay colt recorded a sixth in the Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot

and a fourth in the Dania Beach, the latter coming over Gulfstream's turf on

December 15.

"We'll evaluate what our options are," Plesa said when asked about future

plans. "You've got the next race here (Grade 3 Holy Bull on January 26) and

you've got another one at Tampa (Grade 3 Sam Davis on February 2). The main

thing is: he's had a full schedule. Let's see how he comes out of this race and

we'll go from there."

Out of the stakes-placed Doneraile Court mare Viva La Slew, Itsmyluckyday

initially brought $47,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale before

selling to his current connections for $110,000 at the 2012 OBS March

two-year-old sale. He hails from the same female family of Vicar, who captured

the Grade 1 Florida Derby and Grade 1 Fountain of Youth in 1999.

With Tuesday's $60,000 payday, Itsmyluckyday has now earned $185,600 from a

8-4-1-1 career line.

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