Spring to the Sky powers ahead for Lucky Coin win

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Spring to the Sky sprung right to the lead and never looked back en route to a popular 1 3/4-length victory over Great Attack in Sunday’s $100,000 Lucky Coin Stakes at Saratoga.

Breaking from the outside in a field of six turf-sprint specialists, Spring to the Sky quickly sped to the front, then rated kindly for jockey Jose Castellano, posting a 22.92-second opening quarter-mile split over the firm course. Great Attack ranged up outside the leader midway on the turn and battled the 4-5 favorite to mid-stretch but ultimately proved no match while finishing a length in front of Strong Impact to be second. Strong Impact raced within easy striking distance, angled inside the top pair in early stretch, but lacked a further response.

Go Blue Or Go Home, Triple Cross, and Laurie’s Rocket completed the order of finish.

The victory was the second in a row for Spring to the Sky and the fifth of his career, with Castellano aboard on each occasion. Trained by Bruce Brown for owner Anthony McCarthy, Spring to the Sky covered 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:01.66 and paid $3.80.

“For him, that was a pretty slow first quarter. It was almost like he rated him on the lead, and you just love to see a speed horse finish like that,” said Brown. “He’ll be able to win more races with that style. By being able to finish down the lane rather than being a speedball and going hell bent. The break has always been his drawback, but the last three of four races, he’s been breaking very sharp.”

Brown said Spring to the Sky likely would run here once more before the end of the session.

“He just seems to be coming into his own at the right time. He loves it up here, so hopefully we’ll come back in the next stakes at the latter part of the meet,” said Brown.