Itsmyluckyday adds blinkers for Woodward Stakes
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Itsmyluckyday, runner-up to Moreno in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes, will be equipped with blinkers for the first time when he faces Moreno and several others in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $600,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga, trainer Eddie Plesa said.
“The last couple of races, he’s got to looking to the outside,” Plesa said by phone from Monmouth. “Just a little fine tuning, looking to do something different. I’m always looking for a way to improve them. Hopefully, it won’t hurt him.”
Racing without blinkers, Itsmyluckyday has won 8 of 18 races, including the Grade 3 Holy Bull last year and the Grade 3 Salvatore Mile two starts back. He was beaten 1 1/4 lengths by Moreno in the Whitney, while finishing three lengths clear of the third-place finisher Will Take Charge.
On Saturday morning, at Monmouth Park, Itsmyluckyday worked four furlongs in 49.80 seconds equipped with blinkers. Last week, Itsmyluckday worked a faster half-mile in 48 seconds, also equipped with blinkers.
“The last two times, I worked him in blinkers, and he’s been galloping in them,” Plesa said. “He’s responded well. He was really, really relaxed today. Paco [Lopez] has a way to relax him.”
Palace Malice, who finished sixth as the 3-5 favorite in the Whitney, also may get blinkers for the Woodward. Trainer Todd Pletcher did work him in blinkers Aug. 16. Palace Malice was scheduled to work again Sunday to determine whether he runs in the race and whether it’s with or without blinkers.
Others pointing to the Woodward are Lea, Moreno, Norumbega, Romansh, and Zivo.