Itsmyluckyday , the runner-up in the 2013 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) who was sidelined with a pelvic injury for the later part of that season, has made the move back to New Jersey for the May 24 Majestic Light Stakes at Monmouth Park.
Conditioned by Eddie Plesa, Jr., the 4-year old colt will make his third start after sustaining his injury in the Pegasus Stakes (gr. III) at Monmouth last June. After returning home from his winter in Florida, Itsmyluckyday took to the Monmouth track for the first time May 16, breezing four furlongs in :50 flat.
"He's doing everything at 100%, I wouldn't change anything. He's doing great back home," Plesa said.
Itsmyluckyday, winner of the 2013 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III), is coming off of a victory April 26 in a minor event at Gulfstream Park—the Best of The Rest Stakes—where he bettered the field by three lengths at 1-2 odds.
A son of Lawyer Ron out of the Doneraile Court mare Viva La Slew, Itsmyluckyday will look to continue his success from the outside post against six rivals under regular rider Paco Lopez, traveling a mile and 70 yards on Monmouth's main track in pursuit of the $75,000 purse.
"I think he'll be stalking the pace," Plesa said. "It looks like there'll be an honest pace up there and I expect him to be stalking it. We drew an outside post position, but it's all up to Paco."
Lopez broke the Monmouth Park record for most wins on a card May 17 with seven victories.
When asked about the future of Itsmyluckyday, Plesa said, "I just want to get through this race and then I'll start making plans as far as what we're going to do next. We're going to have to start hooking some heavy heads, and this race has come up very competitive in all honesty, so we'll just have to see what happens."
Itsmyluckyday, 9-5 on the morning line, is expected to be the favorite in the Majestic Light. Among his rivals are graded stakes-placed Golden Itiz and graded stakes winner Code West.
$75,000 Majestic Light Stakes (Race 11, approximate post 5:43 p.m. EDT), 3YOs & Up, 1 mile, 70 yards (dirt)
PP, Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer, Odds
PP, Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer, Odds
1. Convoy Captain (KY), W.P. Otero, 117, T Woolley, 10/1
2. Spa City Fever (NY), G. Saez, 117, D Jacobson, 9/2
3. Warrioroftheroses (NY), T.L. Dunkelberger, 117, D R Dilodovico, 8/1
4. Behemoth (ON), A. Castellano, Jr., 124, C A Gonzalez, 6/1
5. Golden Itiz (KY), E. Castro, 117, D Jacobson, 3/1
6. Code West (VA), K. Carmouche, 117, W M Catalano, 7/2
7. Itsmyluckyday (KY), P. Lopez, 124, E Plesa, Jr., 9/5