The Ascot marks the first stakes win for Designed for Luck, who also won a restricted optional claiming race, an allowance race, and a maiden claiming race, from which he was claimed for $62,500 from Golden Eagle Farm. David W. and Holly F. Wilson's Designed for Luck earned $55,000 for the win, his fourth in 12 career starts. Designed for Luck is trained by Vladimir Cerin and was bred in Kentucky by Mr. and Mrs. John C. Mabee. (Chart, Equibase)
Designed for Luck rebounded from a 20-length defeat in the Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT) to win the $100,000 Ascot Handicap (gr. IIIT) Saturday at Bay Meadows. Designed for Luck, the 3-2 favorite, closed from fifth-place to win by a length at the wire over Tender Offer. The 3-year-old gelded son of Rahy completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.85 over firm turf.In the Del Mar Derby, Designed for Luck sat a couple of lengths off a too fast pace set by Purely Cozzene. In the Ascot, however, Peteski's Charm set moderate fractions while Designed for Luck waited patiently in mid-pack before launching his rally in the stretch under jockey Frank Alvarado. Peteski's Charf finished third, 1 1/2 lengths behind Tender Offer. Heritage Hall, With Iris, Secret Launch, and Calamari completed the order of finish.Designed for Luck paid $5, $3.20, and $2.80. Tender Offer returned $3.20 and $2.60. 24-1 longshot Peteski's Charm was worth $4.60 to show. The $1 exacta paid $7.60.
