Ever So Lucky, second in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club last fall at Churchill Downs, headlines a short field in Saturday’s Grade 2 $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida.
Ever So Lucky, who is making his three-year-old debut, will break from post 4 with jockey Julien Leparoux aboard. He has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite.
Although Ever So Lucky is lightly raced, the son of Indian Charlie, has earned Brisnet speed figures in the 90s and has recently recorded a bullet work. This will be his second attempt going two turns. He finished almost two lengths behind Gemologist in the 1 1/16 mile Kentucky Jockey Club.
Louisville trainer Dale Romans will send out two entries: Tarpy’s Goal and Quick Wit. Both colts have been rated 6-1 on the morning line. Tarpy’s Goal will make his eighth lifetime start and third stakes attempt. He has only two wins on his resume, the last coming just a month ago at Gulfstream Park going 7 furlongs, the same distance as Saturday’s Hutcheson. He earned a Brisnet speed figure of 96 for the effort. Whether or not this colt will be a Derby contender is questionable, but he may be a smart play on Saturday.
Romans’ other colt, Quick Wit, is coming in off of a maiden win only two weeks ago. Previously trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Quick Wit has already raced twice this year for Romans. Quick Wit is showing progression, but will need to make a big leap to rise to the ranks of these stakes runners.
