In the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last Nov. 7, Lookin At Lucky was unlucky. Breaking from the outside post in a field of 13, he was farther back early than usual. He also raced wide throughout and rallied into a slow pace. Despite all the adversity, he finished second, only a head behind Vale of York.
In last Saturday’s Grade II Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Lookin At Lucky again was unlucky. The Smart Strike colt clipped heels and stumbled on the backstretch. He could have thrown in the towel right then and there. But Lookin At Lucky recovered from that incident and rallied resolutely in the stretch to prevail by a head over Noble’s Promise. Lookin At Lucky, voted an Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old male of 2009, now has won six of seven career starts. He has been No. 1 on my Kentucky Derby list each week so far this year. Here is my current Top 20 list:
1. Lookin At Lucky
2. Eskendereya
3. Noble’s Promise
4. Conveyance
5. Sydney’s Candy
6. Awesome Act
7. Rule
8. Interactif
9. Caracortado
10. Dublin
11 Alphie’s Bet
12. Odysseus
13. Jackson Bend
14. Super Saver
15. Connemara
16. Make Music for Me
17. Discreetly Mine
18. Dave in Dixie
19. American Lion
20. Drosselmyer
No. 7 Rule is the 5-2 favorite in this Saturday’s Grade I Florida Derby, which can be seen right here on HRTV. The 1 1/8-mile event has attracted a field of 11. Radiohead is the 3-1 second choice on the morning line, but his post position (No. 11) is a concern. Lentenor, 6-1, is a full brother to 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. This will be Lentenor’s first start on dirt.














































