Good and Lucky outfinishes Actin Good

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Good and Lucky, debuting for trainer Michael Matz, rallied to edge a very game Actin Good by a half-length Saturday in the $70,000 Formal Gold Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Joe Bravo was aboard for his third winner of day, and meet-leading 16th stakes victory.

Good and Lucky ($9.20), in his first start since finishing fifth in the R.R.M. Carpenter Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park on July 18, trailed in the early stages as Actin Good set the pace under constant two- and three-horse pressure.

Turning for home, Actin Good hung in bravely as first Encaustic and then Good and Lucky took runs at him.

Good and Lucky, rallying on the extreme outside, had the best momentum, earning his ninth win in 26 starts.

"We had a pretty good fast, honest pace," Bravo said. "It made my job easy. I was able to sit behind a wall of horses and the horse gave me confidence turning for home."

A 6-year-old gelding, Good and Lucky ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.95 on the fast track.

Encaustic was third followed by Glamour Guy, Song Shan, Custer, and Spin Master, the 2-1 favorite.

Pampered Sir, riled up in the starting gate before the break, was a late scratch. That delayed the start several minutes as the field was backed out and reloaded.