Gulfstream Park: Ever So Lucky starts outside in Hutcheson Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. Trainer Jonathan Sheppard has been non-committal about Ever So Luckys status as a Kentucky Derby candidate. But if he does get to the Derby, Ever So Lucky will get there via a somewhat unconventional route after making his 3-year-old debut in Saturdays seven-furlong Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

The Grade 2 Hutcheson carries a $150,000 purse and drew a field of only six 3-year-olds. Joining Ever So Lucky, who will break on the outside from post 6, will be Tarpys Goal, Wildcat Creek, Thunder Moccasin, Quick Wit, and Il Villano. Both Tarpys Goal and Quick Wit are trained by Dale Romans.

Ever So Lucky hit everybodys list of Derby prospects the moment he crossed the finish line an easy 3 1/4-length winner launching his career last fall at Churchill Downs. Ever So Lucky made just one more start at 2, returning 15 days later to finish second behind the undefeated Gemologist going 1 1/16 miles in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club.

Ever So Lucky was given some time off after suffering minor bone bruising in the Kentucky Jockey Club, returning to training this winter first at Sheppards farm in Camden, S.C., before shipping to south Florida late last month. He has had two local works, including a very impressive five furlongs in 59.19 seconds with regular rider Julien Leparoux aboard Jan. 30.

Im pleased we drew the outside post, but its just a comeback race, and if he can get a nice run and sneak in for a piece Id be happy, Sheppard said. And if we were to get more rain and the track was not to be to my satisfaction, I could just wait another month and run in the Swale.

Sheppard has maintained all along that Ever So Lucky might be a better miler than anything else and has stated that making the Derby is not his major objective at the moment.

Running in the Florida Derby is unlikely, and Id just assume not run him long again until I have to, Sheppard said. Hes already had a race around two turns. Im seriously thinking about the Blue Grass later this spring. Thats a pretty important race on its own. We dont necessarily have to run in the Derby.

While Ever So Lucky is the only member of the Hutcheson field currently considered a true Derby prospect, Thunder Moccasin looks like the horse to beat in the race. The speedy son of A. P. Warrior earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure winning his only previous start by 2 1/2 lengths for Starlight Racing and trainer Todd Pletcher on Dec. 24. His most immediate victim that day was Ender Kneivel, now a stablemate in Pletchers barn, who ran off the screen winning a maiden race here last weekend.

He was great the first time out, Pletcher said of Thunder Moccasin. Its an ambitious move going from a maiden win into a Grade 2 race, but it was a key race and the way hes trained recently we should be okay.

Thunder Moccasin could receive a challenge for the early lead from Il Villano who turns back to a sprint after setting the pace into the stretch before finishing third behind Alpha in Aqueducts Count Fleet in his 3-year-old bow.

Tarpys Goal and Quick Wit are both coming off victories. Tarpys Goal registered a 2 1/2-length optional claiming tally going seven furlongs while returning on five days rest here last month. Quick Wit won his maiden by three lengths Jan. 28.