Madefromlucky Takes Peter Pan, Belmont Next
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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 use the Peter Pan, which their runner won in a final time of 1:48.36 on a fast track, as a stepping stone to the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
"The Belmont Stakes is something we'd talked about a while back," Pletcher said. "We felt Madefromlucky would keep going and going and going. We wanted to find out where he fit and the Peter Pan has historically been a good prep for the Belmont. He earned his way in if he comes out of this well and trains accordingly."
Jockey Javier Castellano kept Madefromlucky in a good tracking position third behind Wolf Man Rocket and fellow Pletcher trainee 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.
"I had a beautiful trip behind the speed horses. There was a good pace in the race," Castellano reported. "My horse settled beautifully off the pace, and turning for home, I had a clear trip. He did it the right way, switching leads at the right time, and finished well.
"I think (he's a Belmont Stakes horse). The way he did it today, why not? He finished very well, he finished strong, and galloped out strong. I think it was a perfect prep for the Belmont. Now it's up to the owner and trainer."
Conquest Curlinate, running from the back of the pack, ran on well to get second a length behind the winner. Two Weeks Off held for third, 1 1/2 lengths behind, under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, while Tiz Shea D and Wolf Man Rocket completed the order of finish.
"Johnny said (Two Weeks Off) was a little bit fresh," Pletcher said. "It should help him move forward. He's a little bit inexperienced. I don't think he would be moving on to the Belmont."
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 from 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, with earnings of $378,700.