Madefromlucky Takes Peter Pan
Description:
After coming up against eventual Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner American Pharoah in his last two starts, Todd Pletcher trainee Madefromlucky enjoyed some class relief and found his way to the winner's circle May 9 in the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park.
Off a fourth in the April 11 Arkansas Derby (gr. I) for Cheyenne Stables and Mac Nichol, after running second in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II)—both races won impressively by American Pharoah—Madefromlucky cleaned up in a five-horse field when closing to overpower 4-5 favorite Two Weeks Off with a good late kick in the 1 1/8-mile test. The connections of the son of 2010 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Lookin At Lucky bypassed the Kentucky Derby to target the Peter Pan, which their runner won in a final time of 1:48.36 on a fast track.
Jockey Javier Castellano kept Madefromlucky in a good tracking position third behind Wolf Man Rocket and Two Weeks Off, as those two traded spots for the early lead through a quarter in :23.51 and a half in :46.55. Wolf Man Rocket edged to a slight lead as the field headed out of the backstretch into the final turn while running three-quarters in 1:10.33, and Two Weeks Off attempted to take over straightening away for home.
Madefromlucky was just off his outside flank, however, and when Castellano said "go" with a few cracks of the left-handed stick, the chestnut colt responded through a 1:35.39 mile to surge past in the final strides.
Conquest Curlinate, running from the back of the pack, ran on well to get second. Two Weeks Off held for third while Tiz Shea D and Wolf Man Rocket completed the order of finish.
Madefromlucky returned $11.40, $5.50, and $2.80 at odds of 9-2. Conquest Curlinate paid $6.90 and $2.90. Two Weeks Off brought $2.20.
Bred in Kentucky by RMF Thoroughbreds out of the Pulpit mare Home From Oz, Madefromlucky was a $150,000 purchase by Nichol from Crupi's New Castle Farm consignment at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s selected sale of 2-year-olds in training. He was pinhooked by Crupi from the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale for $70,000 from the consignment of James M. Herbener Jr.
The Peter Pan victory boosted Madefromlucky's career record to 3-2-1 from eight starts.