DERBY WINNER SUPER SAVER BACK AT SARATOGA

John Heims
Monmouth Park

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Less than 24 hours after stamping himself the leader of the 3-year-old division, Lookin At Lucky was still at Monmouth Park on Monday morning following his victory in the $1 million IZOD Haskell Invitational.

“He came out of the race great,” said Bob Baffert, who captured a record fourth Haskell after Lookin at Lucky’s score.  “He looked fine this morning.  He’s still there – shipping out tomorrow.”

Lookin At Lucky showed a tremendous turn of foot coming off the final turn when he burst away from his six IZOD Haskell rivals, including the Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver.  At the wire Lookin at Lucky’s margin of victory was four lengths, besting Trappe Shot, First Dude and Super Saver.

“Hopefully this race will move him forward,” said Todd Pletcher, trainer of Super Saver.  “He got a little tired off the layoff.  We’ll see how he comes out of the race and talk to the owners before we decide on a next start.”

Super Saver left the Monmouth Park backstretch at 5:00 a.m. this morning for a van ride back to Saratoga.

Future plans for the 2010 IZOD Haskell winner have yet to be decided, “I think he’s going to be heading west, coming back to California,” Baffert said.  “I haven’t made up my mind yet.  I have until tomorrow to figure that out.”

Coming off a win in the Preakness Stakes, Lookin At Lucky shipped east for his IZOD Haskell victory, arriving via FedEx on Thursday afternoon.  He became the second consecutive Preakness-Haskell winner following Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra who completed that double in 2009.

After nearly a week on the Jersey Shore, Lookin At Lucky will be leaving as the clear leader for top 3-year-old and of course with the winner’s share of the $1 million IZOD Haskell purse.

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Friday, Aug. 6.  Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. – first post 12:50 p.m.  As always the racetrack is open seven days a week for simulcasting from across the country and around the globe.