Itsmyluckyday , who finished 15th in the grade I Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, was confirmed May 7 as a likely starter in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico Race Course.
Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. expressed confidence the sloppy track at Churchill Downs was the reason for the Gulfstream Park Derby and Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) winner's subpar showing in the first leg of the Triple Crown May 4.
"For a horse to train that well and run that poorly and come out of the race so well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out," Plesa said.
Owned by Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa, Itsmyluckyday has shown his connections nothing but positive signals since the Derby.
"Everything's going 100%," Plesa said. "He went to the track today and my assistant trainer (Frankie Perez) and exercise rider (Peter Shelton) gave him a 10-plus on a scale from 1-10."
The son of Lawyer Ron was scheduled to leave Churchill Downs at 4 p.m. May 7 and is expected to arrive at Monmouth Park at approximately 2 a.m. May 8. Plesa said the colt would likely arrive at Pimlico May 13 or 14.