Itsmyluckyday Shortens Up as Kelso Favorite

By Jerry Bossert

So far everything's gone to plan this year with Itsmyluckyday   for trainer Eddie Plesa Jr.

The 4-year-old colt bounced back from a pelvic fracture suffered last year to win four of six starts in 2014, including bagging his first grade I victory in the Aug. 30 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Now he'll try to add the Kelso Handicap (gr. II) to his resume Sept. 27 at Belmont Park.

"He's doing excellent," Plesa said. "He's his usual self. Maybe he's showing more energy now because the weather is cooling off, but he's no worse for wear after those two efforts at Saratoga."

Besides his win in the 1 1/8-mile Woodward, Itsmyluckyday also finished second to Moreno going the same distance in the Aug. 2 Whitney Invitational Handicap (gr. I) at the Spa.

"It was very satisfying on all levels," Plesa said of the Woodward win. "To get his first grade I and turn the tables on Moreno."

Plesa, along with his wife, Laurie, who owns the colt with Trilogy Stable, nursed the colt back to health after he was injured in the June 16 Pegasus Stakes (gr. III) last year at Monmouth Park.

"We came up with this plan from the beginning of the year and he hasn't missed a step," Plesa said of the son of Lawyer Ron. "It's validated what we thought about this horse and we can take some pride out of it."

Despite finishing second in the Whitney and first in the Woodward, Plesa has decided to start Itsmyluckyday in the one mile Kelso rather the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) at 1 1/4 miles on Belmont's "Super Saturday" card. The colt is not nominated to the Breeders' Cup World Championships, to be held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park.

"We're not 100% sure if we are running in the Breeders' Cup," Plesa said. "We'll talk about it after the race if we run in the (Dirt) Mile or the Classic, but his best avenue would be to run in the Mile race if we decide to go that way."

Prior to the Saratoga races, Itsmyluckyday aced Monmouth's Salvator Mile (gr. III). He also won the Gulfstream Park Derby early in his 3-year-old season going a mile.

Itsmyluckyday was made the starting high weight in the Kelso carrying 121 pounds, spotting his six rivals from four to 11 pounds. He will break from the outside post in the seven-horse field.

"It's a fair weight," Plesa said of the impost. "It's not enormous, it's what he deserves and I understand that. The only thing I want is fast racetrack and for nobody to get into any trouble."

Paco Lopez will ride Itsmyluckyday, who once again will be wearing blinkers, which he was equipped with for the Woodward.

Joseph W. Sutton's Bradester is a horse who could give Itsmyluckyday some trouble, having won three of seven starts this year for trainer Eddie Kenneally including a 1 3/4-length victory in the Sept. 6 Ack Ack Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs in his last start.

Ridden by Corey Lanerie, Bradester was made the 3-1 second-choice and will carry 117 pounds, breaking from post 5.

River Rocks is the 5-1 third-choice and will carry 115 pounds including jockey Rajiv Maragh.

Completing the field are grade I winners Capo Bastone and Golden Ticket, multiple graded victor Vyjack, and Scarly Charly.