Good Luck Gus prevails in Albany Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – When Good Luck Gus won the Damon Runyon Stakes for New York-bred juveniles around two turns last December at Aqueduct, owner Michael Dubb had designs of giving the colt a chance to jump on the Triple Crown trail.

Good Luck Gus had some bad luck during the winter, including stepping on a rock while training at Aqueduct, resulting in a foot injury that cost the horse the winter and early spring.

After two losses to begin his 3-year-old season, Good Luck Gus returned to the winner’s circle Friday at Saratoga, rallying from off the pace to run down One Sided and win the $250,000 Albany Stakes by a half-length.

One Sided, who surrendered the early advantage to Force around the far turn, regained the lead in midstretch, but could not hold off Good Luck Gus, settling for second by one length over Bellamy Way. Bullheaded Boy, Force – the 2-1 favorite – and Fleeting completed the order of finish.

The win was the third straight on the card for Luis Saez, who moved into fourth in the Saratoga jockey standings with 27 wins.

Good Luck Gus gave owner Dubb his meet-leading ninth victory. He picked up his 10th in the next race when Hushhushmushmush got up at the wire to win the finale. Dubb owns Good Luck Gus with Bethlehem Stable and The Elkstone Group.

In the winner’s circle Friday, Dubb said he recalled saying in the winter that he had a desire to have Good Luck Gus prove himself against open company. In a reference Triple Crown winner American Pharoah competing in Saturday’s Travers Stakes here, Dubb said, “I’m glad I stayed where I stayed.”

Good Luck Gus finished fourth to Force in the New York Derby at Finger Lakes on July 3. Dubb and trainer Rudy Rodriguez felt the horse had a wide trip and the rider moved too soon.

They switched back to Saez, who had ridden Good Luck Gus to a second-place finish in the Mike Lee Stakes in May.

On Friday, Saez saved ground on Good Luck Gus down the backstretch behind a tepid pace of 25.30 seconds for the quarter, 50.23 for the half-mile, and 1:14.33 for six furlongs.

Saez moved Good Luck Gus toward the outside turning for home. When Force, who acted up in the paddock and was washy in the post parade, drifted out, Saez moved Good Luck Gus back inside, split horses, and ran down One Sided.

Good Luck Gus, a son of Lookin At Lucky, covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.81 and returned $9.10.

“I rode the horse one time; he had a problem with the dirt in the face,” Saez said. “I worried about that, but today he was fine. He was a professional horse.”