Betting The Horses

In Monmouth Park’s showcase race, under Martin Garcia, Lookin At Lucky burst into the clear and cruised to a four-length victory over Trappe Shot.

Lookin At Lucky’s status as the best 3-year-old in the country was confirmed after the emphatic win Sunday, as it came against a star-studded, seven-horse field considered the strongest in the 43-year-old history of the race. The Derby and the Preakness winner was featured in the race for the first time.

Winning trainer Bob Baffert said, “He’s been sitting on a really big race. He’s been training just unbelievably. It’s good to see him finally come out of his shell. He’s growing up and he stamped himself as a great horse.”

For the third time in five starts this year, a bay son of Smart Strike, Lookin At Lucky won, and for earnings of $2.7 million for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, the 2-year-old champion improved his career record to eight wins in 10 starts.

At third place finish was First Dude, followed by Super Saver, Afleet Again, Ice Box and Our Dark Knight. Hall of Famer Baffert becomes the first trainer to win the Haskell four times. He also won with Point Given in 2001, War Emblem in 2002 and Roman Ruler in 2005.

Lookin At Lucky returned $4.40, $3 and $2.40, sent off as the 6-5 favorite. Trappe Shot had won four in a row, paid $3.40 and $2.60. First Dude paid $3 to show.

1:49.83 was the winning time for the 1 1-8 miles over a fast Monmouth Park track.

Tags: Lookin At Lucky, Martin Garcia, Monmouth Park’s showcase race, Trappe Shot