Lookin at Lucky
Encyclopedia
Lookin At Lucky is an American Thoroughbred
racehorse
and winner of the 2010 Preakness Stakes
. Sired by Smart Strike
, a half brother to Canadian Triple Crown Winner Dance Smartly
, his dam, Private Feeling, was sired by Belong To Me by the North American Leading Sire of 1993, Danzig
.
Lookin At Lucky proved to be the best three year-old in training by winning the 2010 Eclipse Award as division champion being named American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse. He dominated the voting that year; Lookin At Lucky, 224 votes; Eskendereya, 5 votes; Paddy O'Prado, 1 vote. As the award was presented January 2011, it was announced that Lookin At Lucky had become the first horse in 32 years to be named the champion of his division at both age two and age three. No other horse had accomplished such a feat since Spectacular Bid
did it 1978 and 1979.
. After working 1/8 of a mile in 10 seconds, Lookin at Lucky was bought by popular trainer Bob Baffert
at the 2009 Keeneland April Sale
for $475,000. Lookin At Lucky raced for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman.
Best Pal Stakes
Del Mar Futurity Stakes
Norfolk Stakes
Breeders' Cup Juvenile
CashCall Futurity
Santa Anita Derby
Kentucky Derby
Preakness Stakes
Haskell Invitational Handicap
Indiana Derby
Breeders Cup Classic
and retired.
Lookin At Lucky was retired to Ashford Stud shortly after his run in the Breeders Cup.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
and winner of the 2010 Preakness Stakes
2010 Preakness Stakes
The 2010 Preakness Stakes was the 135th running of the Preakness Stakes. The race took place on May 15, 2010, and was televised in the United States on the NBC television network. Lookin At Lucky, who was jockeyed by Martin Garcia, won the race. Approximate post time was 6:18 p.m. Eastern Time...
. Sired by Smart Strike
Smart Strike
Smart Strike is a Canadian Thoroughbred racehorse. The son of the Champion sire, Mr. Prospector, and out of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame mare Classy 'n Smart, Smart Strike is a half-brother to 1991 Canadian Triple Crown champion Dance Smartly.Owned and bred by Sam-Son Farm, on the...
, a half brother to Canadian Triple Crown Winner Dance Smartly
Dance Smartly
Dance Smartly was a Champion Thoroughbred Canadian and U.S. Hall of Fame racemare who went undefeated in 1991 while winning the Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing and becoming the first horse bred in Canada to ever win a Breeders' Cup race.Bred in Ontario by Sam-Son Farm, the bay mare...
, his dam, Private Feeling, was sired by Belong To Me by the North American Leading Sire of 1993, Danzig
Danzig (horse)
Danzig was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who is best known as a leading sire. He was purchased for $310,000 by Henryk de Kwiatkowski at the 1978 Saratoga Yearling Sale...
.
Lookin At Lucky proved to be the best three year-old in training by winning the 2010 Eclipse Award as division champion being named American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse. He dominated the voting that year; Lookin At Lucky, 224 votes; Eskendereya, 5 votes; Paddy O'Prado, 1 vote. As the award was presented January 2011, it was announced that Lookin At Lucky had become the first horse in 32 years to be named the champion of his division at both age two and age three. No other horse had accomplished such a feat since Spectacular Bid
Spectacular Bid
Spectacular Bid was an American Thoroughbred race horse. "The Bid" as he was known was one of the most dominant gallopers of his time...
did it 1978 and 1979.
Early career
Bred by Gulf Coast Farms, Lookin At Lucky was bought back as a yearling for $35,000 at the 2008 Keeneland September SaleKeeneland Sales
The Keeneland Sales is an American Thoroughbred auction house in Lexington, Kentucky founded in 1935 as a nonprofit racing/auction entity on 147 acres of farmland west of Lexington, which had been owned by Jack O. Keene...
. After working 1/8 of a mile in 10 seconds, Lookin at Lucky was bought by popular trainer Bob Baffert
Bob Baffert
Robert A. "Bob" Baffert is an American horse owner and trainer, whose horses have won three Kentucky Derbies, five Preakness Stakes, one Belmont Stakes and two Kentucky Oaks. He graduated from the University of Arizona's with a Bachelor of Science degree. -Early career:Bob Baffert began his...
at the 2009 Keeneland April Sale
Keeneland Sales
The Keeneland Sales is an American Thoroughbred auction house in Lexington, Kentucky founded in 1935 as a nonprofit racing/auction entity on 147 acres of farmland west of Lexington, which had been owned by Jack O. Keene...
for $475,000. Lookin At Lucky raced for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman.
Two-year-old Season
Maiden Race- Lookin At Lucky broke his maiden at first asking going six furlongs on the Cushion Track at Hollywood Park on July 11.
Best Pal Stakes
- He followed up this win in the Grade II Best Pal StakesBest Pal StakesThe Best Pal Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held annually at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The race is open to horses, age two, that are willing to race six and one-half furlongs on Polytrack. A Grade II event, it carries a purse of $150,000.Inaugurated in 1967 as the...
at Del Mar RacetrackDel Mar RacetrackDel Mar Racetrack is an American Thoroughbred horse racing track at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in the seaside city of Del Mar, California, 20 miles north of San Diego. Operated by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, it is known for the slogan: "Where The Turf Meets The Surf." It was built by a partnership...
in Del Mar, CaliforniaDel Mar, CaliforniaDel Mar is an upscale beach town in San Diego County, California. The population was 4,161 at the 2010 census, down from 4,389 at the 2000 census. The San Diego County Fair is hosted on the Del Mar Fairgrounds every summer. Del Mar is Spanish for "of the sea" or "by the sea", because it is located...
. Ridden by Garrett Gomez he finished the six and a half furlongs in a time of 1:16.06.
Del Mar Futurity Stakes
- His handlers then decided to try the 7 furlong, Grade I, Del Mar FuturityDel Mar FuturityThe Del Mar Futurity is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. A Grade I event since 2007, the race is open to horses, age two, willing to race seven furlongs on Polytrack synthetic dirt and offers a purse of $250,000.The race is currently...
Stakes, with Garrett Gomez again in the saddle he won in final time of 1:22.85.
Norfolk Stakes
- During the Oak Tree Racing AssociationOak Tree Racing AssociationThe Oak Tree Racing Association is an American not-for-profit corporation that exists to conduct live thoroughbred horse racing in Southern California.-History:...
meet at Santa Anita ParkSanta Anita ParkSanta Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
in Arcadia, CaliforniaArcadia, CaliforniaArcadia is an affluent city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, and located approximately northeast of downtown Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley and at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains....
, Lookin At Lucky solidified his entrance into the 2009 Breeders' Cup JuvenileBreeders' Cup JuvenileThe Breeders' Cup Juvenile is a Thoroughbred horse race for 2-year-old colts and geldings raced on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships....
by winning the Grade I Norfolk Stakes at a distance of 1 1/16 miles (8.5 furlongs). He finished in a final time of 1:43.11 in a full field of 12.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile
- Going off as the favorite from post 13, Lookin At Lucky had a difficult trip and finished second by a head behind the long shot EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an winner, Vale of YorkVale of York (horse)Vale of York Vale of York Vale of York (foaled April 4, 2007 in Ireland is a Thoroughbred raceghorse best known for winning the 2009 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Bred by Stock Vale Ltd., Vale of York's sire, Invincible Spirit, was a sprinter, securing all seven of his victories over 6 furlongs,...
.
CashCall Futurity
- On December 19, Lookin At Lucky sealed American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt honors with a win over chief rival Noble's PromiseNoble's PromiseNoble's Promise, is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was bred by Charles Kidder and his son Ben in a partnership with Dr. Nancy Cole . He is by Gainesway Farm stallion Cuvee, who was a three-time graded stakes winner at age 2 and owned by Chasing Dreams Racing, a horse syndicate of 24...
in the CashCall FuturityHollywood FuturityThe Hollywood Futurity is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually since 1981 at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. The Grade I race is open to two-year-old horses and run over a distance of 1 1/16 miles...
.
Three-year-old Season
Rebel Stakes- On March 13, Lookin At Lucky made his three-year-old debut at Oaklawn ParkOaklawn ParkOaklawn Park is an American thoroughbred racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is the home to The Racing Festival of the South.In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred racetracks in North America. Of the top Ten, Oaklawn was ranked...
with a win in the Rebel StakesRebel StakesThe Rebel Stakes is an American Grade II Thoroughbred horse race held annually in March at Oaklawn Park racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Open to three-year-old horses, it is raced on dirt over a distance of 11/16 miles...
. He won by a head over arch-rival Noble's PromiseNoble's PromiseNoble's Promise, is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was bred by Charles Kidder and his son Ben in a partnership with Dr. Nancy Cole . He is by Gainesway Farm stallion Cuvee, who was a three-time graded stakes winner at age 2 and owned by Chasing Dreams Racing, a horse syndicate of 24...
, even though he stumbled badly during the run down the backstretch.
Santa Anita Derby
- On April 3, he had a horrendous trip under Garrett Gomez in the Santa Anita DerbySanta Anita DerbyThe Santa Anita Derby is an American Grade 1 thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run each April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and carries a purse of $1 million. Inaugurated in 1935, it is considered the most important West Coast stepping-stone to the Kentucky Derby...
. Bumped, jostled and virtually ridden into the fence, Lookin At Lucky still managed third.
Kentucky Derby
- Going into the 2010 Kentucky Derby2010 Kentucky DerbyThe 2010 Kentucky Derby was the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place on May 1, 2010, and was televised in the United States on the NBC television network. The post time was EDT . The stakes of the race were US$2,185,200...
, Lookin At Lucky was made the favorite after the scratch of brilliant EskendereyaEskendereyaEskendereya is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He is sired by Giant's Causeway, a son of North America's one time leading sire Storm Cat. Bred in Kentucky by Sanford Robertson, Eskendereya was a $250,000 Keeneland September purchase. His dam is Aldebaran Light, who is a daughter of champion...
. Drawing the number one inside post, the champion racehorse was pinned to the rail and had nowhere to go until a late run to wind up sixth, making it his first off-the-board finish.
Preakness Stakes
- After a disappointing Kentucky DerbyKentucky DerbyThe Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
finish, trainer Bob BaffertBob BaffertRobert A. "Bob" Baffert is an American horse owner and trainer, whose horses have won three Kentucky Derbies, five Preakness Stakes, one Belmont Stakes and two Kentucky Oaks. He graduated from the University of Arizona's with a Bachelor of Science degree. -Early career:Bob Baffert began his...
turned to young jockey Martin GarciaMartin Garcia (jockey)Martin Garcia is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing who rides from a base in Southern California.He emigrated to the United States in 2003 and went to work at a delicatessen in Pleasanton, California...
and reluctantly fired Garrett Gomez, after three consecutive times the veteran jockey could not keep the horse out of trouble. On May 15, Garcia rode Lookin At Lucky to a win in the 135th running of the Preakness StakesPreakness StakesThe Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
at Pimlico Race CoursePimlico Race CoursePimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
in Baltimore, Maryland. Lookin At Lucky went off as the 2–1 second choice and paid $6.80 to win. The winning time was 1:55.47 while holding off the determined pacesetter, First Dude, and the late charging Jackson Bend.
Haskell Invitational Handicap
- Bob BaffertBob BaffertRobert A. "Bob" Baffert is an American horse owner and trainer, whose horses have won three Kentucky Derbies, five Preakness Stakes, one Belmont Stakes and two Kentucky Oaks. He graduated from the University of Arizona's with a Bachelor of Science degree. -Early career:Bob Baffert began his...
had Martin GarciaMartin Garcia (jockey)Martin Garcia is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing who rides from a base in Southern California.He emigrated to the United States in 2003 and went to work at a delicatessen in Pleasanton, California...
ride Lookin At Lucky again in the Haskell Invitational. The 6-5 favorite, he broke a bit awkward, but jockey Garcia managed to steady him, and positioned him 3-wide on the first turn. Entering the far turn while still 3 paths wide, he made his signature move and shot past his competitors, winning the race by four lengths over upcoming Trappe Shot, followed by First DudeFirst Dude (horse)First Dude is an American Thoroughbred stallion racehorse. He was sired by Stephen Got Even, who in turn was a son of leading sire A P Indy. He is out of the mare Run Sarah Run, who is the daughter of Smart Strike....
, who finished second to him in the Preakness StakesPreakness StakesThe Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
, and Super SaverSuper Saver (horse)Super Saver is a retired American Thoroughbred race horse, best known as the winner of the 2010 Kentucky Derby.-Pedigree:Super Saver's ancestors include damsire A.P. Indy, winner of the 1992 Belmont Stakes, 1957 Preakness Stakes winner Bold Ruler, 1964 Kentucky Derby winner Northern Dancer, and...
, the Kentucky DerbyKentucky DerbyThe Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
Winner. He received a career-best 105 Beyer Speed FigureBeyer Speed FigureThe Beyer Speed Figure is a system for rating the performance of Thoroughbred racehorses in North America designed in the early 1970s by Andrew Beyer, the syndicated horse racing columnist for The Washington Post...
for the most dominant performance of his career.
Indiana Derby
- Lookin at Lucky developed a illness after the Haskell that forced him to miss a month of training. Regrouping, trainer Bob BaffertBob BaffertRobert A. "Bob" Baffert is an American horse owner and trainer, whose horses have won three Kentucky Derbies, five Preakness Stakes, one Belmont Stakes and two Kentucky Oaks. He graduated from the University of Arizona's with a Bachelor of Science degree. -Early career:Bob Baffert began his...
pointed his star toward the Indiana DerbyIndiana DerbyThe Indiana Derby is an American thoroughbred horse race run annually since 1995 at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana. It is the racetrack's signature event offering its highest purse at $500,000....
, held at small Hoosier ParkHoosier ParkHoosier Park is a thoroughbred and standardbred racetrack located in Anderson, Indiana, United States.In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred racetracks in North America. Of the top Ten, Hoosier Park was ranked #4.-History:In 1990,...
. Lookin At Lucky drew post-position 6 in a field of nine horses, and became the overwhelming favorite at odds of 2-5. Lookin At Lucky broke well, but fell back to last early in the race and around the first turn. Still in eighth place on the backstretch, Lookin At Lucky came five-wide around the far turn, caught the leader in late home-stretch and won by 1 1/4 lengths. He earned a 103 Beyer Speed FigureBeyer Speed FigureThe Beyer Speed Figure is a system for rating the performance of Thoroughbred racehorses in North America designed in the early 1970s by Andrew Beyer, the syndicated horse racing columnist for The Washington Post...
for his performance.
Breeders Cup Classic
- After his win in the Indiana Derby, Baffert pointed his star player to the 27 running of the Breeders Cup Classic. Lookin At Lucky trained beautifully, but was compromised by a "minor infection and a cough" a week before the race. "I had to treat him with antibiotics, and sometimes that's hard on a horses system." Trainer Bob Baffert said. Lookin At Lucky was healthy for the race, but was placed farther back than usual early in the race and finished an uncharacteristic fourth.
At stud
In November 2010, he was purchased by Coolmore StudCoolmore Stud
Coolmore Stud, in Fethard, South Tipperary in Ireland, is the world's largest breeding operation of thoroughbred racehorses. It was established in 1975....
and retired.
Lookin At Lucky was retired to Ashford Stud shortly after his run in the Breeders Cup.