Pedigree Profile: Itsmyluckyday

Itsmyluckday is an extremely talented colt. A two-time listed stakes winner as a Juvenile, he really showed his mettle on his third birthday winning the Gulfstream Derby by an easy 6 3/4 lengths over the likes of Sr Quisqueyano and Wes Welker's Undrafted. While the strength of that field may not have been proven to be the strongest, the dominant fashion in which he won really opened some eyes.

Not to be outdone by his first 3yo race, Itsmyluckyday faced off against Juvenile Champion Shanghai Bobby 25 days later in the G3-Holy Bull. In a spectacular duel, Itsmyluckyday battled his way past Bobby to win by open lengths. On a day when speed was unbeatable, the colt even set a new track record for the one and one sixteenth mile distance. Definitely another spectacular performance.

Entered into the G1-Florida Derby, Itsmyluckyday finished a game second to Orb after tracking the lead for much of the race. While he was competitive, even taking the lead in the stretch, he could not finish and was passed by Orb, placing by over two lengths.

So what does that mean? Let's take a look at his pedigree to see what it tells us.

Itsmyluckyday - by Lawyer Ron (Langfuhr) out of Viva la Slew (Doneraile Court)

His sire is Lawyer Ron. As stated above, he died after siring two crops of foals in a paddock accident. As a runner, Ron was extremely successful at the Classic distances, which was recognized when he won the 2007 Eclipse Award for Older Males. In that year, he won the G2-Oaklawn Handicap, the G1-Whitney, and the G1-Woodward. He ran into Curlin in the G1-Jockey Club Gold Cup and finished a game second, losing by a neck. Then on a sloppy track at Monmouth Park in 2007, he finished 7th, beaten by some very serious horses: Curlin, Hard Spun, Awesome Gem, Street Sense, Tiago, and Any Given Saturday. Even had it not been an off track, there's no shame in losing to that bunch. But his brilliant career unfortunately did not translate into a long time at stud but even with two crops, he has sired some very nice horses:

Drill (Lawyer Ron - Cat Dancer [Storm Cat]): Winner of the G1-Del Mar Futurity and the G2-San Vicente. Has won $455k. Was a dominant juvenile, did not show same form as a 3yo.

Stealcase (Lawyer Ron - Steal the Show [Cat Thief])" Very nice classic distance stakes horse. Won the G3-Ontario Derby at Woodbine and finished 3rd in the G1-Haskell. Won $334k.

Summer Sunset (Lawyer Ron - Viva la Viva [Crafty Prospector])" Actually is 3/4 to Itsmyluckday as Viva la Viva is the granddam of Itsmyluckyday. So this cross is definitely productive. Very good allowance horse. He's not stakes placed and is probably best at right around 8f.

Adirondack King (Lawyer Ron - Jostle [Brocco]): Listed stakes winner of $222k. Best at 8-9 furlongs.

Itsmyluckyday is out of Viva la Slew (Doneraile Court - Viva la Viva [Crafty Prospector]). She is listed stakes placed and was at her best at sprint distances. She has had 4 foals, 2 starters, and Itsmyluckday is her only foal of note. She is a very young broodmare, so that's not a knock on her, just merely a small sample size.

His broodmare sire, Doneraile Court, started out strong and finished 3rd on the 2007 Freshman sire list. However, he currently only stands for $1,000 in Florida. He is ok to mediocre as a sire. His greatest success as a sire is Cocoa Beach (CHI). She was 3rd in the UAE Derby, came to the States and won the G1-Beldame and finished 2nd in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Distaff. She showed top form again in 2008, winning the G1-Matriarch and in her career winning a total of just under $1.75 million. But Doneraile Court lost favor with breeders shortly thereafter and has fallen on severe hard times in recent years.

His granddam is the Crafty Prospector mare, Viva la Viva. She is unraced. I actually looked at this mare to purchase her in the 2013 January Sale at Keeneland. At the time she was in foal to Indygo Shiner, which was what turned me off. But Itsmyluckyday was just an impressive winner of a listed stakes at Gulfstream. /kicks self

Viva la Viva has three foals of positive note and one of negative. The three good ones are;

Ready to Live (More Than Ready): 2007 filly sold for 200k at Keeneland November 2005. She won $84,500 and is a listed stakes winner. She is currently a broodmare in Australia. She was at her best at a mile on the turf. She has four foals, one starter, and one winner.

Summer Sunset (Lawyer Ron): 2009 gelding who is one of Lawyer Ron's best sons. See above.

2012 unnamed colt (Indian Charlie): Sold for $125k at Keeneland January 2013 sale.

The negative? She had a 2010 filly by Medaglia d' Oro sell for $5,000. His stud fee was $60k in 2009. The filly is a winner of $17k, but she races in Mexico. So, well, basically, ouch.

The takeaway? Well Itsmyluckyday is probably the best son of Lawyer Ron in terms of talent. But when looking at his family, it is tough to find anything that likes running over a mile. But Ron's sons do seem to like 8+ furlongs, so maybe Itsmyluckyday has gotten the high end infusion of stamina. But honestly, to me, when factoring in his inability to hold off Orb after taking the lead over 9 furlongs, the extra panel in the Derby might be a touch more than he can be expected to handle. But there is no doubt that once he finds his most preferred distance, he's going to be a handful with his ability to just grind him competitors into the ground.