Luck's Royal Flush enters Graduation Stakes thriving

DEL MAR, Calif. – Luck’s Royal Flush beat maidens at Santa Anita in mid-June in his third start. The win was the start of what is developing into a productive summer for the colt.

Luck’s Royal Flush won his stakes debut in a 9-1 upset in the Everett Nevin Stakes for California-breds at the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meeting on July 7. On July 28, Luck’s Royal Flush worked five furlongs in 59.60 seconds at Del Mar in preparation for Saturday’s $100,000 Graduation Stakes for statebred juveniles here.

Trainer Jeff Bonde is confident Luck’s Royal Flush can have continued success in the Graduation, which is run at 5 1/2 furlongs.

“He’s got a natural turn of foot, and he does things easily,” Bonde said.

Luck’s Royal Flush is the only stakes winner in a field of seven in the Graduation. Five runners – Bea’s Boy, Grab the Munny, Oliver, Our Silver Oak, and Tap the Wire – each won a maiden race in his last starts. Carnivorous was fifth in the Nevin.

:: Clocker Reports: Get in-depth workout analysis for Del Mar & Saratoga

KEY CONTENDERS

Luck’s Royal Flush, by Lucky Pulpit
Last 3 Beyers: 67-52-52

◗ Luck’s Royal Flush, owned by breeders Larry and Marianne Williams, tends to run near the front and is likely to set the pace.Gary Stevens has the mount. Stevens rode Luck’s Royal Flush to a win in a maiden race at five furlongs at Santa Anita on June 15.

“He’s a colt who puts himself in the race,” Bonde said.

◗ Luck’s Royal Flush was a well-beaten fourth after a wide trip in his debut May 5 and second by a head to Carnivorous in a maiden race May 19 while racing from an inside post.

“His first out, he had trouble,” Bonde said. “The next race, he was on the rail. I was never really discouraged.”

Our Silver Oak, by Unusual Heat
Beyer: 66

◗ Our Silver Oak would benefit from a quick pace. In his lone start, which came at Los Alamitos on July 4, Our Silver Oak closed from fifth in a field of 10 to score a two-length win over Oliver at 33-1.

“I don’t see him on the front end,” trainer William Morey said. “I see him in midpack.

“He’s a big, good-looking 2-year-old, very mature for his age. I think he’ll run longer.”

Oliver, by Papa Clem
Last 3 Beyers: 67-60-47

◗ Oliver is the only runner in the field with a win over the course. Trained by Luis Mendez, Oliver won a maiden special weight race at five furlongs by 5 1/4 lengths as the 8-5 favorite on July 20. Oliver was always near the front despite a poor start and pulled clear late.

◗ Oliver drew the rail in the Graduation and will be ridden for the first time by Martin Garcia, who replaces Joe Talamo. On Saturday, Talamo is riding at Mountaineer Park.