Fairplex: Luckarack gets ideal trip in Jim Kostoff

POMONA, Calif. – Luckarack posted a mild upset in the Jim Kostoff Stakes on Sunday at Fairplex Park, where a pick six carryover of $39,460 is up for grabs Wednesday on the twilight card. First post Wednesday is 4 p.m. Pacific.

The $50,000 Kostoff, a sprint for 3-year-olds, was not without controversy; jockeys Martin Pedroza and Christian Santiago-Reyes exchanged words while weighing out after the race.

Pedroza rode odds-on runner-up C J Russell, who was eliminated on the first turn. Pedroza blamed Reyes for gunning Road Ready inside, into a tight spot that forced out C J Russell. Both horses were carried wide when pacesetter Crown King drifted out.

“It cost me the race, without a doubt,” Pedroza said.

C J Russell was fanned at least five-wide, stayed wide thereafter, and finished second behind ground-saving winner Luckarack ($6.60). The winner, trained by Doug O’Neill, was ridden by Agapito Delgadillo.

Delgadillo saved ground on Luckarack, got first run on the far turn, made the lead into the stretch, and was not threatened thereafter. He won by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:18.03..

C J Russell, the 3-5 favorite, finished six lengths clear of third-place finisher Road Ready.