Madefromlucky bounces back to win West Virginia Derby

Madefromlucky bounced back from his sixth-place finish in the Belmont Stakes by rallying wide under Joe Bravo to defeat Souper Colossal by 1 1/2 lengths Saturday in the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Racetrack.

Madefromlucky was the second stakes win for trainer Todd Pletcher within a span of eight minutes as he had won a tight decision with Rock Fall in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt Stakes as the horses for the West Virginia Derby were on the track at Mountaineer. He would go on to win the Grade 2 Bowling Green at Saratoga 20 minutes later.

The racing surface at Mountaineer was slanted toward outside runners Saturday, and Bravo kept Madefromlucky far out from the inner rail the entire 1 1/8 miles of the $750,000 West Virginia Derby.

Alliseeisgold set the early pace at 40-1 while being tracked by the 5-1 shot Bent on Bourbon and the 70-1 Thirtysilverpieces. Souper Colossal, who raced wide throughout, was unhurried early while racing in fourth.

On the far turn, Souper Colossal readily advanced under Paco Lopez to challenge outside of the three frontrunners. Madefromlucky, who had lagged well back early, commenced his bid widest of all.

Souper Colossal took a short-lived lead in upper stretch but could not keep pace with the winner, who edged away in the final furlong. War Story, who broke poorly, finished with a belated bid for third, a half-length behind Souper Colossal.

California shipper Iron Fist, the 5-2 second choice, finished fourth, three-quarters of a length behind War Story, while racing down along the inside in the stretch.

Madefromlucky, who broke from post 8 in the nine-horse field, paid $7.20 as the favorite. He was timed in 1:51.40 after early splits of 24.19 seconds, 48.67, 1:13.01, and 1:38.66.

"He broke away from there nicely, and everybody knew the middle of the track was maybe a little better today," Bravo said. "We were lucky to draw the post position that we did, and I tried to take advantage of it. When we got to the top of the lane I knew I could pick up the horses in front of me. He's just a cool relaxed horse."

Madefromlucky, a son of Lookin At Lucky, was a $150,000 2-year-old purchase at the Ocala Breeders' Sales in March 2014 by Mac Nichol. He made his first four starts for New Jersey-based trainer John Mazza, then was transferred to Pletcher after Cheyenne Stables bought into the horse. Madefromlucky now is 4 for 10 with earnings of $875,200.

Madefromlucky now has won graded stakes in two of his last three starts. He won the Grade 2 Peter Pan in his start prior to the Belmont Stakes.