Having tried the grass just three times previously in his career, Lukes Alley (Flower Alley) remained something of an unknown commodity on the surface, especially facing the likes of Grade I winner The Pizza Man (English Channel). Bet down from his morning line of 8-1, the Ontario-bred whistled home to tag pacesetting Shining Copper in the waning strides in Saturday's Gulfstream Park Turf H.
Canada's Sovereign Award-winning older horse of 2014 courtesy of Polytrack wins in the GIII Durham Cup S. and GII Autumn S., the bay faced the starter just three times in 2015, a Woodbine allowance victory followed by runner-up efforts in defense of his Durham Cup and Autumn S. titles. Sent to Florida to winter for the first time, Lukes Alley was back to work in the GII Fort Lauderdale S. Jan. 9, where he raced closest to pace-pressing Heart to Heart (English Channel) and came after that one late, only to fall a half-length shy while 1 1/4 lengths clear of All Included (Include).
As expected, Shining Copper (Aragorn {Ire}) assumed command soon after the start and was chased from second by Takeover Target (Harlan's Holiday) as All Included and Lukes Alley made up the second flight of horses. The Ramsey runner, heretofore used primarily as a rabbit for Big Blue Kitten (Kitten's Joy), took them into the final five furlongs after a half in a methodical :49.12, but the field was covered by no more than six lengths as the six furlongs went up in 1:13.63. That set things up as a dash for cash in the final three-eighths of a mile, but Shining Copper appeared to be going well within himself, even as Takeover Target took a run at him with every chance at the top of the lane. Lukes Alley peeled out into the three path, dug in with giant strides and was able to peg back Shining Copper in the final two jumps. All Included was up the fence for third from Takeover Target, while favored The Pizza Man finished one-paced in fifth.
Though he was not an original nominee at the free entry stage, Lukes Alley could be a candidate for the G1 Dubai Turf, trainer Josie Carroll confirmed.
“I've never been to Dubai and I'd love to go to Dubai,” she said, adding, “He's a very, very honest horse. No horse deserves this [more than him]. It was close. This is a gutsy horse. I knew he'd go down fighting if he lost. This is a horse that always shows up. I was confident he'd run his race and we were lucky enough to win it.”
Hailing from the female family of French highweight and G1 Prix Morny winner Elusive City (Elusive Quality), Lukes Alley is a half-brother to a yearling colt of this year by More Than Ready. The winner's dam was purchased by Margaux Farm in foal to the latter sire for $390,000 as part of the Melnyk Dispersal at the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale in 2013.
Saturday, Gulfstream Park
GULFSTREAM PARK TURF H.-GI, $350,000, GP, 2-6, 4yo/up,
1 1/8mT, 1:48.20, fm.
1–&LUKES ALLEY, 117, h, 6, by Flower Alley
1st Dam: Vaulcluse (SW), by A.P. Indy
2nd Dam: Betty's Pet, by Dehere
3rd Dam: Liturgism, by Native Charger
O-Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Eugene Melnyk (ON); T-Josie
Carroll; J-Paco Lopez. $210,490. Lifetime Record: Ch. Older
Horse-Can, 14-8-4-0, $758,956. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
*Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.[bullet ad=”ontario-bred”][bullet ad=”equix-optimatch”]
2–Shining Copper, 117, g, 6, Aragorn (Ire)–La Minuta (Chi), by
Winged Victory. O-Kenneth L. & Sarah K. Ramsey;
B-International Equities Holding, Inc. (KY); T-Chad C. Brown.
$67,900.[bullet ad=”brookdale-foaled-and-raised”]
3–All Included, 116, h, 5, Include–Eximius (GB), by Atticus.
O/B-Wertheimer Et Frere (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $33,950.
Margins: NK, 3/4, 1HF. Odds: 5.10, 3.40, 14.90.
Also Ran: Takeover Target, The Pizza Man, Triple Threat (Fr), Legendary (GB), Eh Cumpari.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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