Lucky Island lands Tom Fool

Shadwell Stable's LUCKY ISLAND (Arg) (Lucky Roberto) broke on top in

Saturday's $161,000

Tom Fool

H. (G2) and never relinquished the advantage en route to a 4 1/4-length

score in the prestigious seven-furlong sprint at Belmont Park. Now four for four

since the addition of Lasix earlier this year, the Kiaran McLaughlin-trained

colt faced early pressure from Tasteyville (With Approval) while setting splits

of :22 4/5 and :45 1/5 over the muddy track, but he shook loose from that rival

at the top of the stretch and went on to notch his second consecutive graded

victory. The four-year-old finished up in 1:22 3/5 with Alan Garcia.

"You know, he broke so sharp, that was the key," McLaughlin said. "(Garcia)

always had a lot of horse. He's a very, very, very nice horse. We are so happy

with him."

Sent off the 3-2 second choice in the five-horse field, Lucky Island paid $5,

$2.80 and $2.20 while keying the $10 exacta. Tasteyville, the 6-5 favorite, held

the place by a length and gave back $2.50 and $2.10. Premium Wine (Prime Timber)

was worth $2.20 for the show and completed the $18.20 trifecta (2-5-6). He was followed under the wire by Starforaday

(Five Star Day) and Council Member (Seattle Slew). Not for Money (Not for Love)

was scratched.

Bred in Argentina by Arroyo de Luna, Lucky Island is out of the Equalize mare Ebrolize.

He won his career debut by nine lengths at San Isidro last June before being

transferred to McLaughlin. The dark bay colt suffered his only defeat when

seventh in an allowance/optional claimer at Calder last December, but returned

to capture an

allowance at Gulfstream Park in mid-February and defeated allowance/optional

claiming rivals at Aqueduct in early April. He made his graded debut in the May

10 Bold Ruler H. (G3), recording a 2 1/4-length decision. He's earned $224,942

from his 6-5-0-0 line.

McLaughlin said the Forego H. (G1) at Saratoga on August 30 is Lucky

Island's next objective.