Prince Lucky surprises in Easy Goer Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Prince Lucky was not being considered for the $150,000 Easy Goer Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park, but a June 2 workout convinced trainer Todd Pletcher to give the race a try. Prince Lucky responded by running the best race of his eight-start career to win a three-horse photo finish under jockey John Velazquez.

After the June 2 work “we decided he was in sharp form and that we’d take a shot,” Pletcher said.

The Easy Goer was Prince Lucky’s third start since being turned over to Pletcher by owner-breeder Daniel McConnell. In his first start for Pletcher, Prince Lucky finished ninth in the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby. He was gelded after that race.

“I think that’s what started to turn him around,” Pletcher said. “His behavior today was exemplary in the paddock, post parade, and gate. I think it’s allowed him to get his mind totally on business.”

Prince Lucky finished third in the restricted Sir Barton on Preakness Day at Pimlico. That race was run in foggy conditions over a sloppy track.

“The trip at Pimlico is a little hard to analyze because of the conditions, but we felt like we over-rated him a little bit maybe, in terms of taking too much of a hold of him,” Pletcher said. “I told Johnny today don’t disappoint him today. Anything he’s offering on his own, let him have it.”

Lunar Beauty, a 50-1 longshot, went to the lead in the 1 1/16-mile Easy Goer while being prompted by California shipper Dark Vader. Prince Lucky moved up soon after the start to join the leaders three wide.

On the turn, Rugbyman, who broke a bit slowly and trailed early, made a move to contention four wide. When Lunar Beauty packed it in turning for home, that left a three-horse battle for the lead that continued fiercely to the wire. Prince Lucky proved a neck best over Rugbyman, with Dark Vader another nose back in third.

Rugbyman’s head was turned to the outside for much of the stretch run.

“He’s still a little green and has plenty of room to improve,” said Graham Motion, who trains Rugbyman. “I thought he had dead aim on them.”

Prince Lucky paid $30 as the second-longest shot in the seven-horse field. He was timed in 1:41.41. The Easy Goer was his fourth win and second in a stakes. He won the statebred Pennsylvania Nursery at Parx Racing last December.

Mask, the 8-5 favorite, finished fourth, three lengths behind Dark Vader. Mask moved up into the second flight along the inside on the backstretch, appeared to steady behind horses momentarily, but then lacked the needed response.

Breaking the Rules, the 5-2 second choice, stumbled at the start but recovered to take up a forward position. He settled several lengths off the pace but lacked a rally and finished sixth.