Monmouth: Itsmyluckyday switches to turf for Tyro

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Itsmyluckyday was the right horse at the right price for trainer Eddie Plesa Jr., who bought him at the Ocala 2-year-old sales in March.

The colt gets a chance to repay that confidence in the $60,000 Tyro Stakes on Sunday at Monmouth Park.

The Tyro, at five furlongs on the grass, is the traditional prep for the meet’s top juvenile event: the Grade 3 Sapling at six furlongs on the main track on Sept. 1.

Plesa took home Itsmyluckyday, a son of Lawyer Ron, for $110,000.

“He’s by Lawyer Ron, who I had a lot of respect for when he was running,” Plesa said. “I saw him at the sale and he kind of caught my eye, and he fell into the right price range as far as we were concerned. I think he’s a horse that does have a future.”

So far, Itsmyluckyday has been moving in the right direction in his two races on dirt. He was a rallying second in his debut before securing the maiden win in his second start.

Plesa’s main concern in this spot is distance. He feels Itsmyluckyday wants to go longer but those opportunities are limited at Monmouth.

“He’s already won going short, so I’m hoping it’s not a problem,” Plesa said. “He could be a quality 2-year-old. I think the longer the better. He’s done everything I’ve asked of him so far. Sometimes you get forced into situations that turn out well, and I’m hoping this is one of them. If I don’t run in this race, where am I going to run him? I would have to wait possibly until the Sapling, and fortunately for me I might have two other horses aiming for that same race. It was his turn at bat, and this was the race at hand.”

Plesa worked Itsmyluckyday on the turf last week and was pleased with how the colt handled the surface.

There is no doubt Rip Roarin Ritchie can run on turf, having already won on grass at Churchill Downs for trainer-breeder Wesley Ward. He has kept his turf edge with three breezes over the Monmouth course since that victory in mid June.

The other proven turfer in the field is I’m Boundtoscore, winner of the Chenery Stakes at Colonial Downs over a yielding course.

Alluseeismytale, Marstons Mills, and Keep the Canoli step up following main-track maiden wins.

Kiwi Ruler and Gottagetgoin, a first-time starter, complete the field.