Lucky Jeremy to try Sunland Park Derby off Allison Derby victory

Lucky Jeremy is being considered for the Grade 3, $400,000 Sunland Park Derby after a convincing win in the local prep, $100,000 Riley Allison Derby, on Friday in New Mexico.

The Sunland Derby is a points race for the Kentucky Derby and it will be held about five weeks earlier this year, on Feb. 18. The new date has led to a new distance for the race, which has been shortened from 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/16 miles. The first five finishers will earn points on a scale of 20-10-6-4-2.

Lucky Jeremy won the Riley Allison Derby by two lengths, in his first start since taking a maiden special weight over 6 1/2 furlongs in October at Churchill Downs. He remained at Sunland on Saturday for trainer William E. Morey.

“We’re going to nominate to the Sunland Derby, take it one day at a time,” Morey said Saturday.

Lucky Jeremy was making the third start of his career in the Riley Allison. He covered the mile distance on a fast track in a strong 1:36.54.

“We found out he can route,” Morey said Saturday. “I really thought he would – now we officially know. We also found he’ll rate off the leaders, as well. That was good to learn.”

Lucky Jeremy is a son of Lookin at Lucky who races for Jeremy Ramsland.

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