Favored Luck Flies In Robert J. Frankel

Magic recaps Luck flying home as the favorite to win Saturday’s Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. Magic also discusses who he likes moving forward, including any potential price plays.

The track press release:

Ridden confidently, LNJ Foxwoods’ homebred Luck, a half sister to the legendary Goldikova, rallied with ferocity leaving the quarter pole and easily took Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes under Flavien Prat, winning in-hand by 3 ¼ lengths. Trained by Richard Baltas, Luck, a 5-year-old mare by Kitten’s Joy, got a mile and on turf listed as “good” in 1:48.26.

Next to last at the rail leaving the Club House turn, Luck was unhurried in the run up the backside but Prat stepped on the gas mid-way around the far turn and she wheeled five-deep at the top of the lane en route to easily gaining command a furlong out and providing Prat with his fourth win on New Year’s Day.

Second, beaten a pair of heads in the Grade III Red Carpet Handicap and the Grade I Rodeo Drive Stakes on Nov. 25 and Oct. 2, Luck, in her fourth stateside start for Baltas, was off as 4-5 favorite in a field of seven older fillies and mares and paid $3.80, $2.80 and $2.10 in what was her first graded stakes win. Out of the Caerleon mare Gold Round, Luck is now 8-4-3-0 and with the winner’s share of $60,000, she has earnings of $208,470.

English-bred Bodhicitta, who sat third early, outdueled multiple Grade I winner Mucho Unusual by a nose for second and paid $6.20 and $3.20 with Kent Desormeaux up at 7-1.

Ridden by John Velazquez, Mucho Unusual made the lead very briefly at the furlong pole and just missed the place, while finishing 2 ¾ lengths in front of pacesetter Moraz. Off as the second choice at 3-1, Mucho Unusual paid $2.40 to show.

Fractions on the race were 24.38, 49.26, 1:12.50 and 1:36.71.