Monmouth Park: Yes I'm Lucky scores in Tyro Stakes

Yes I’m Lucky broke alertly from the No. 1 post and contested the pace every step of the way in the $59,200 Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday, surviving a stretch duel with stablemate Run for Logistics to win by 1 3/4 lengths and remain undefeated.

Yes I’m Lucky, with Paco Lopez aboard, finished the five-furlong test on good turf in 56.93 seconds. He paid $5.20 as the favorite in a field of five juveniles. The Yes It’s True colt stamped himself as a major contender for the Grade 3 Sapling Stakes for juveniles going six furlongs at Monmouth Park on Sept. 1.

Yes I’m Lucky, a $105,000 purchase at Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. in March, is trained by Eddie Plesa Jr. for his wife, Laurie, and Trilogy Stable. He had made both of his prior starts on dirt, winning a $38,000 maiden special weight race by a head at Monmouth on June 2, then wiring the $57,000 Frank Gomez Memorial Stakes by four lengths at Calder on June 22. The colt, out of the Dove Hunt mare Whenthedoveflies, has earned $93,000.

“I was very pleased with the way both my horses ran,” Plesa said. “Yes It’s True horses don’t necessarily like the turf, so I was hoping for his mother’s side to kick in. He ran great. Barring anything unforeseen, they’ll both be back in the Sapling.”

On Sunday, Yes I’m Lucky’s task was made easier when Sweet Emma Rose and Holy Rocker scratched. Sweet Emma Rose, the runner-up in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and the only filly entered for the Tyro, likely would have been favored. Holy Rocker lost by a head to Yes I’m Lucky on June 2 in his only start.

Yes I’m Lucky was the quickest out of the gate Sunday, with his head in front as he was pressured by Run for Logistics and Silvertonguedtommy through a quarter-mile in 22.23 seconds and a half-mile in 45.05. Silvertonguedtommy went very wide around the turn and faded to last, but Yes I’m Lucky and Run for Logistics had plenty left, with Yes I’m Lucky hugging the rail and pulling away in the final furlong.

“He broke sharp, and we were able to get good position,” Lopez said. “I rode this horse before and know him a little bit. I thought he’d be able to handle the turf just fine, and he did today.”

Run for Logistics, ridden by Gabriel Saez for Plesa, entered the race off a front-running, 5 1/2-length score in his only prior start, a $40,000 maiden special weight race at Monmouth on July 7.