Preakness Stakes 2010 Results: Lookin At Lucky Wins Preakness Stakes 2010 Leaving Super Saver Behind & Preakness Winners 2010
After having had a forgettable outing at all his previous three starts particularly the Kentucky Derby, 'Lookin At Lucky' finally had 'luck' coming his way, when he won the Preakness Stakes 2010 and once again secured the top spot.
Although ‘Lucky’ doesn't have a big advantage over all the other 3-year old crop of horses for he had to work hard to score a three-quarter-length victory over long shot First Dude, who also ran a commendable race, there is no doubt in anyone's mind that he is far better than the Derby winner, Super Saver, who benefited from a perfect trip at Churchill Downs but finished a badly beaten eighth at Pimlico.
After Lucky's difficulties in the previous races trainer Bob Baffert took a bold decision-to replace his current jockey, Garrett Gómez -- undoubtedly one of the best riders in America -- with Martín García, a 25-year-old whose experience and accolades were not close to Gómez's.
This decision led to much discussion in the racing circles but finally paid off when Lucky secured a victory at Preakness. García's' ride was not a tactical masterpiece like Calvin Borel's Derby ride on Super Saver. He simply stayed out of trouble by sitting outside his rivals and let his mount do the rest. Barfett himself admitted that Gomez was a victim of circumstances in the previous races.
In the Derby, he was probably doomed when Lookin At Lucky drew post position No. 1 in the field of 20. "I was sick when he got the one post," Baffert said. "I wanted to scratch him." Trapped on the inside, Lookin At Lucky was bumped hard twice in the early running and never got into contention.
Barfett had only one advice to give to Garcia prior to the race-to save ground on the first turn after he broke from post No. 8. After that point, García was on his own. "If you have the horse," Baffert told him, "you'll get there."
During the race, the Kentucky Derby winner was the first to give up the lead. But First Dude, who had won nothing more than a maiden event in his six-race career, was not in a mood to give up without a fight.
In mid-stretch, Lookin At Lucky appeared ready to surge past and take command, but First Dude kept fighting until he finally could fight no longer and gave in, in the final yards.
