Lucky Force tests his stamina in Chris Loseth Stakes
Undefeated Lucky Force will look to further establish himself when trying three turns for the first time in Sunday’s $50,000 Chris Loseth Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Hastings.
In winning the recent Ross McLeod Stakes, Lucky Force improved his record to 3 for 3 for trainer Craig MacPherson and presented himself as a runner to be reckoned with on the path toward the British Columbia Derby.
“I feel Lucky Force is built like a horse that should get a route,” MacPherson said. “He’s not a heavy horse and covers the ground well.”
Lucky Force is by Counterforce, who never raced beyond seven furlongs. Counterforce’s offspring are still so young that they have so far had few chances to go a mile or longer.
Lucky Force’s dam is Check Point, who earned $407,950 while racing on the East Coast. She had five route wins and many placings at distances of a mile or longer. The third dam of Lucky Force is Senate Appointee, an earner of $543,000 who went 17 for 24 at Hastings.
Chief among the opposition on Sunday is Legacy Square, the beaten favorite in the Ross McLeod and last year’s Jack Diamond Futurity winner. Legacy Square was beaten just a neck in the Ascot Graduation over 1 1/16 miles last fall. The Edgar Mendoza trainee has raced just twice this year, winning his comeback race in May.
Time Ticker, Aristocracy, and Accidental Hero finished fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively, in the Ross McLeod. All three are entered back on Sunday.
Aristocracy was a winner over one mile on New Year’s Day at Turfway Park in Kentucky before he was later purchased privately and sent to Hastings.
◗ Co-featured on the Sunday card is the Supernaturel for 3-year-old fillies over 1 1/16 miles. A quartet from the River Rock Casino Stakes on June 10, including winner Air Force, will do battle once again.
Air Force was the narrow leader at every point of call in the 6 1/2-furlong River Rock Casino. She must prove she handle the stretch-out in the Supernaturel.
Joining Air Force on the early lead in the River Rock Casino was Neighneigh, gate-to-wire winner of last year’s Fantasy Stakes over 1 1/16 miles. Neighneigh was making her first start of the year in the River Rock Casino, while Air Force had previously won a prep race on May 20.
A filly of interest on Sunday is Key to Success who won a maiden race over 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland last fall. She may have joined the early leaders just a bit too soon in the River Rock Casino, her first start at Hastings. Key to Success was beaten one length in the end and has worked sharply since.
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