Xtra Luck Goes Distance for Louisville Win
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Michele and Cliff Love's Xtra Luck took over from pacesetter Majestic Harbor in early stretch and held his command for a comfortable win in the $100,000 Louisville Handicap (gr. IIIT) May 23 at Churchill Downs .
Xtra Luck had plenty of energy in reserve for the breakthrough stakes win after tracking 7-year-old Majestic Harbor from second through most of the 1 1/2-mile turf test. Once in control, he cruised easily toward the finish line, crossing 1 1/2 lengths clear of For Greater Glory.
A 4-year-old Exchange Rate gelding trained by Neil Howard, Xtra Luck has raced exclusively in allowance company following an unplaced finish in his stakes debut in the 2014 Risen Star Stakes (gr. III).
With Xtra Luck tracking no more than two lengths back, Majestic Harbor opened a clear lead early and set easy fractions of :24.62, :48.73, 1:14.23, and 1:40.34 through a mile, before giving way to finish last in the nine-horse field. Brian Hernandez Jr. brought Xtra Luck to the front and maintained his advantage as For Greater Glory made his bid from fourth with a quarter to run, but could not get to the winner.
Xtra Luck was timed in 2:28.24 on firm turf for his third win from 20 career starts. He came into the Louisville Handicap off a runner-up finish going 1 1/2 miles April 23 on the Keeneland turf in his first start beyond 1 3/8 miles. That race followed a victory in a 1 1/8-mile grass test March 28 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, where he was third going the same distance in his season debut Feb. 7.
The Loves bought Xtra Luck for $75,000 from the Taylor Made Sales consignment at the 2012 Keeneland September yearling sale. Saturday's $59,520 winner's share boosted his lifetime bankroll to $154,644. He was bred in Florida by Haras Santa Maria de Araras from the winning Kris S. mare Miu Miu, who also produced two-time stakes winner Tamborim.
Off at 4-1 odds, Xtra Luck paid $11.60, $5.80, and $4, while For Greater Glory returned $13 and $7.40. Golden Soul, runner-up to Orb in the 2013 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), was a neck back in third and paid $4.60 to show.
Patrioticandproud, the 2-1 favorite, finished fourth, followed by Calvados, Layton Register, Cozy Kitten, Royal Blessing, and Majestic Harbor, to complete the order of finish.