Gulfstream Park: Itsmyluckyday gets back to work; Florida Derby is next up

Tom Keyser

Holy Bull winner Itsmyluckyday, ridden by Isidorio Ramos, breezes a half-mile in 48.77 seconds Saturday at Calder.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Itsmyluckyday turned in his first workout since upsetting Eclipse Award champion Shanghai Bobby in the Grade 3 Holy Bull when he breezed an easy half-mile in 48.77 seconds at Calder on Saturday morning.

Itsmyluckyday, a son of Lawyer Ron trained by Eddie Plesa Jr. rallied from just off the pace to a two-length victory over Shanghai Bobby in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull on Jan. 26. The win was the second of the meet for Itsmyluckyday, who also captured the Gulfstream Park Derby by nearly seven lengths on New Year’s Day.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Itsmyluckyday and Shanghai Bobby are expected to meet again in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March  30.

“The work went perfect, just like I expected,” said Plesa. “It was his first work back since the Holy Bull and it went just like all his other works. He’s on top of his game, I just have to keep his feet on the ground and get him to peak at the right time.”

Plesa said his only concern with Itsmyluckyday is the new point system in place to determine eligibility for this year’s Kentucky Derby. Itsmyluckyday, who is currently rated fourth in Daily Racing Form ’s Derby Watch, has only 10 points, which he earned for his victory in the Holy Bull.

“I hope the point system isn’t a factor in his running in the Derby,” said Plesa. “I really don’t know what good comes out of the new system. I only see it forcing people to run more than they want. I certainly hope it’s a non-factor for us after the Florida Derby. I’d rather win the Kentucky Derby more than any race there is, although I’m not going to shortchange him one iota just to get to the Derby.”

Falling Sky heads to Tampa Derby

Falling Sky, a late scratch from Saturday’s Fountain of Youth, will likely make his next start in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby on March  9, according to Nick Sallusto, stable manager for the horse’s ownership group. Falling Sky won Tampa’s Grade 3 Sam Davis in his 3-year-old debut on Feb. 2.

“It was pretty straightforward. We just weren’t comfortable with the post position,” said Sallusto. “At the end of it all, we were hoping to get more than one scratch. It was just a little daunting running from the nine-hole, we just didn’t think we’d be able to take our best shot with him from there.”

Sky Captain had also scratched out of the Fountain of Youth earlier in the day.

“The Tampa Bay Derby was the race we originally had considered for Falling Sky after winning the Sam Davis and it’s definitely the next race on our radar screen, although we’ll also consider the Rebel as a possibility,” said Sallusto. “The horse is doing fine and he’ll have a big, long work [Sunday] at Palm Meadows to let him blow the steam out because he was ready to go today.”