Just Our Luck

Lookin At Lucky was the headliner on this blog entering the past weekend and he certainly did not disappoint, winning the Grade 1 $750,000 CashCall Futurity in impressive fashion. He again topped Noble's Promise, who ran 3rd behind him also when Lookin At Lucky was the runner-up to Vale Of York in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. There is no question about it, Lookin At Lucky has firmly established himself as the one to beat going forward to the First Saturday In May.

However, he wasn't the most eye-catching big winner of closing weekend at Hollywood Park. No, that honor goes to the winner of Sunday's Grade 1 $405,250 Hollywood Starlet, Blind Luck. While she couldn't follow up her win in the Grade 1 Oak Leaf at Santa Anita on Breeders' Cup day (she ran third in the Juvenile Fillies), she more than captured the promise of that earlier win on Sunday. Her run through the stretch was absolutely brilliant, turning what had been a closely contested race into a dominating, seven-length victory. You can watch Blind Luck's win in the Hollywood Starlet (and be duly impressed in the process) through the following link: http://thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2009/December/20/Blind-Luck-wins-Hollywood-Starlet.aspx.

So, Bob Baffert has the established winter book favorite for the Derby with Lookin At Lucky and now, Jerry Hollendorfer has the same on the Distaff side for the Oaks. It will be fascinating to watch these two runners mature through the spring.

Tune in tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!