Luckman overcomes troubled start to win Toronto Cup Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The aptly-named Luckman overcame a troubled start to capture Saturday’s $127,050 Toronto Cup Stakes at Woodbine with a furious rally under Daisuke Fukumoto.

Luckman dropped back to a trailing 10th early after getting bumped at the break by Day Tripper in the one-mile turf route for 3-year-olds.

Favored Churchtown tracked the leading First Empire before taking control in the stretch, but was overhauled in the final strides by Luckman, who had closed inside on the turn and then between rivals to prevail by a neck, in a final time of 1:34.36.

Day Tripper wound up third as part of a blanket finish among the top five runners. He was followed by Lac Macaza, Mannix, Riot House, Serifos, Hicksy, First Empire, and Zatip.

Trainer Vito Armata claimed Luckman from his maiden victory for $25,000 in late June. He proceeded to win two straight races with the son of Empire Maker from off the pace leading up to the Toronto Cup.

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“He’s been running like that the last three races,” Armata said. “That’s his style. He’s a very nice horse. I liked him as a 2-year-old.”

Luckman returned $18.80 and banked $75,000 in his first stakes success for Alpine Stable.