Designed for Luck scores

Designed for Luck won his first stakes in almost three years in Wednesday's $76,675 Live the Dream Handicap at Del Mar, nearly clinching the riding title for winning jockey Patrick Valenzuela.

Designed for Luck was Valenzuela's 52nd winner of the meeting, giving him a five-race cushion on his closest pursuer, Julie Krone. Wednesday was the final day of the Del Mar meeting. Krone had six mounts in the final seven races of the program, while Valenzuela had five rides.

Designed for Luck ($7.60) ran a mile on turf in a sharp 1:33.28. Green Line, a European import, finished second, with 3-5 favorite Redattore third in the field of eight.

Valenzuela had Designed for Luck close throughout. Mister Cosmi set early fractions of 22.90 and 46.76 seconds and was closely followed by Redattore. Designed for Luck was in third place on the backstretch, but in early stretch, Valenzuela moved him to the outside to challenge the leaders.

Designed for Luck caught Redattore in the final furlong and won by a length.

Owned by David and Holly Wilson and trained by Vladimir Cerin, Designed for Luck is unbeaten in two starts this year. A 6-year-old, Designed for Luck finished second in an allowance race in his seasonal debut Aug. 18 but was promoted to first after he was bumped by Denied in the final furlong.

As a 3-year-old in 2000, Designed for Luck won the Grade 3 Ascot Handicap at Bay Meadows. He finished first in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby in November 2000 but was demoted to fifth for causing interference.

Since that race, Designed for Luck's career has been plagued by layoffs. He has won four times but has had three layoffs, ranging in length from six to 17 months.