Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa’s Itsmyluckyday pushed pacesetter Spa City Fever early before drawing away from that foe and gearing down to a convincing length and a quarter score in the $75,000 Majestic Light Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.
Ridden by Paco Lopez, his fourth winner of the day, Itsmyluckyday covered the mile and 70 yards over a fast main track in 1:41 3/5 and returned $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10 as the 3-10 favorite in the field of five. Second choice Code West completed the $6.20 exacta and paid $2.60 and $2.20. It was another half-length back to Spa City Fever, who paid $2.80 to show.
“Paco (jockey Lopez) rode him pretty confidently,” said winning trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. “He geared him down for the final 1/16th. This was a tough race with tough competition and he came through it just fine. I believe the best is still in front of him.
“We may bring him back in the Met Mile (Grade 1 at Belmont on June 7), but that’s a little quick, just two weeks. If not we’ll likely go in the Grade 3 here (Salvator Mile, July 6). We’ll let him tell us what to do.”
A 4-year-old colt by Lawyer Ron from the Doneraile Court mare Viva La Slew, Itsmyluckyday came into Saturday’s race off a stakes victory at Gulfstream. Last season, the graded stakes winner was runner-up in the Preakness Stakes.
From 16 lifetime starts Itsmyluckyday sports a record of 7-3-1, good for earnings of $933,100.
Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Sunday, May 25 for day two of the Food Truck Festival. Gates will open at 11:30 a.m., with first post set for 12:50 p.m.
