Lucky Lindy finishes fast in Hawthorne Derby

STICKNEY, Ill. -- A northern chill nipped the air as Canadian invader Lucky Lindy scored an emphatic win in the Hawthorne Derby. The colt still showed his immaturity when Robby Albarado rode him for the first time in mid-summer, but Lucky Lindy has learned his lessons for the autumn, and he rallied strongly on the outside to win the Grade 3, $150,000 Hawthorne Derby by 2 1/4 lengths.

Saham, who had a somewhat troubled trip, ran on well to win a photo over Nun the Less for second, with Mission Driven, who stayed on gamely after setting a hot pace, just behind those two in fourth.

Nucifera and jockey Alex Cintron appeared to clip heels and fell approaching the far turn, but both horse and rider – fairly miraculously – appeared to have escaped serious injury.

Trained by Mark Frostad for owner-breeder George Strawbridge, who races as Augustin Stables in North America, Lucky Lindy ran poorly in his lone start at 2 and has progressed steadily through his 3-year-old season. Albarado, based in Kentucky, never had ridden Lucky Lindy when his agent, Lenny Pike, lined up the ride in the Toronto Cup on July 26 at Woodbine. Albarado and Frostad have a long history, and Albarado was impressed with his mount’s second-place finish.

“I went to ride him and really liked him,” said Albarado, who said Lucky Lindy raced greenly that day.

Lucky Lindy didn’t seem to stay 1 1/2 miles finishing a fading third in the Breeders’ Stakes for Canadian-breds, but he was back on form Sept. 20 in the Ontario Derby, winning that nine-furlong race by almost four lengths.

Saturday, Albarado mainly focused on keeping Lucky Lindy out of trouble as Mission Driven and Queen’s Jewel, pursued by Chip Leader, ripped through an opening quarter-mile in 22.97 seconds and a half in 46.46. The field started stacking up hitting the far turn – which is how Nucifera got into trouble – but Albarado steered wide, trading ground loss for a clean run.

“It wasn’t pretty, but I thought he had the talent to do it,” Albarado said.

Lucky Lindy wrested command before the furlong pole and despite a late lead change never was threatened, getting his nine furlongs on a very firm turf course in 1:48.26. He paid $7.20 as the 5-2 favorite, and left Albarado thinking about the future.

“Today he was very responsive. I’m looking forward to seeing him next year, or whenever he runs back,” said Albarado.

Lucky Lindy, by Harlan’s Holiday and out of the Rahy mare Celebrate, won for the third time in seven races.