**Please see the attached photo of J J’s Lucky Train, winner of the
Saturday, April 9, 2011
J J’S LUCKY TRAIN CHUGS HOME IN
By Jon Forbes
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – J J’s Lucky Train made his return to Aqueduct Racetrack a winning one as he closed resolutely to win Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Bay Shore for 3-year-old sprinters.
Second in two starts at the Big A this winter, J J’s Lucky Train raced in traffic in fifth through an opening quarter mile of 22.69 seconds, angled to the outside following a half in 46.17, and advanced steadily on the outside in the stretch to collar Vengeful Wildcat in the waning strides and prevail by a neck.
“On the backside, I was happy with where I was,” said winning jockey Jose Ferrer. “With him, the more you grab, the more he goes. I was trying to give and take, keep him relaxed and comfortable. I wanted to wait, and teach him how to rate to make sure he finishes. Everyone has done a fantastic job with this horse.”
Unlike Ferrer, winning trainer Bill Anderson admitted he had a few tense moments during the race.
“Down the backside I was in cardiac arrest with all that trouble from the start,” said Anderson, who conditions the son of Silver Train. “It looked like he was hanging a little in midstretch, and I didn’t think we’d get there.”
It was the second straight stakes score for J J’s Lucky Train, who had won the Miracle Wood at Laurel Park on February 26 in his most recent start. Previously, the Fresh Start Stable representative was second in the Whirlaway on February 5 and in the Count Fleet on January 1, both routes contested over Aqueduct’s inner track. The Count Fleet was won by Toby’s Corner, who later in the day upset the Grade 1 Resorts World New York Casino Wood Memorial.
“I think at seven-eighths to a mile it’d take a heck of a horse to outrun him, and that’s where we’ll probably stay with him,” said
J J’s Lucky Train, bred in
Justin Phillip finished third, while Buffum and Royal Currier dead-heated for fourth. The latter had to be caught by assistant starter Miguel Ramirez after breaking prematurely through the gate. Harlan’s Hello and Smoke It Right completed the order of finish. Dr Disco was scratched.
The Grade 3, $150,000 Comely for 3-year-old fillies went to Hot Summer, who saved ground en route to a 2 ¼-length victory.
Hot Summer, carrying the colors of Harold L. Queen, settled in third through an opening half mile of 46.00 seconds, waited behind horses in fourth through three quarters in 1:10.09, and kicked clear after finding room to deep stretch. Her Smile rallied along the outside to get second.
The final time for the one-turn mile was 1:35.58.
“[I saw on paper] that she’s got speed,” said winning jockey Luis Saez, who was making his first start at Aqueduct. “When she got to the gate, she wanted to go, but I got hold of her. At the three-eighths pole, I waited for the hole to open, and she responded. This is my first time riding here. I like it.”
Hot Summer, a daughter of Malibu Moon bred in
Winning trainer David Fawkes said he believed Hot Summer would improve off her fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Davona Dale on February 26 at
“[Last time] she stumbled a little bit and was rushed a little bit, and that isn’t her,” said Fawkes. “We’ve been working hard with her to sit off the pace, and it worked out.”
Now 3-0-1 from 5 starts, Hot Summer earned $90,000 to push her bankroll to $158,200. She will likely stay in
“We’ll talk to Mr. Queen and try to make a plan,” said Fawkes. “We’ll find something. There will be something, somewhere.”
Her Smile finished two lengths ahead of favored Ava K. in second, with R Holiday Mood, Mysterious Chimes, and Vixen’s Roar, and Royal Sighting completing the order of finish.
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