Sunland Park: Odds-on Lucky Jeremy wins Riley Allison Derby
Odds-on favorite Lucky Jeremy loomed close to the lead untilmaking his move in the second turn on the way to winning by two lengths Fridayin the $100,000 Riley Allison Derby, a two-turn mile at Sunland Park.
Owned by Jeremy Ramsland and trained by Bill Morey, the LookinAt Lucky colt came off a nearly three-month break to win for the second time ina row. The Allison Derby is a traditional steppingstone to the Grade 3 SunlandPark Derby, a Kentucky Derby 2024 points prep that will be run Feb. 18.
After spotting early pacesetter Alotaluck no more than twolengths at any call, Lucky Jeremy (4-5) moved forward going five wide whenasked by jockey Christian Ramos in the far turn. Alotaluck (5-1) kept up untilthe final furlong, when Lucky Jeremy pulled away.
Alotaluck placed second, two lengths better than stalkerSurroundedbyangels (5-1), who came in third. It was another 13 1/4 lengths backto fourth-place Da Ringo (16-1) with Kae Gae (14-1) fifth and Crafted (2-1)last in the field of six 3-year-olds.
Ramsland also owns Surroundedbyangels and Norwegian Callum,who was scratched from the race by stewards. Ham Sandwich was removed from thefield by a veterinarian’s decision.
The winning time was 1:36.54 on the fast track. The onlyfraction on the Equibase chart was 1:23.79 for the first seven furlongs. The livetimer shown on the race telecast appeared to have been tripped prematurely by aflock of birds that took flight from the infield near the clubhouse turn.
Lucky Jeremy paid $3.80, $2.80 and $2.10; Alotaluck $3.80and $3.00; and Surroundedbyangels $3.40.
A $50,000 purchase last year, Lucky Jeremy broke his maidenlast out Oct. 29 at Churchill Downs, leading the whole way in a 6 1/2-furlongrace contested in the slop. He made his debut Sept. 29, finishing a close fifthin a six-furlong, maiden test at Churchill.
