Saturday, July 05, 2008

TOM FOOL RECAP

LUCKY ISLAND RUNS WINS STREAK TO FOUR
By Francis LaBelle Jr.

Lucky Island’s development as one of the nation’s top sprinters continued Friday afternoon at Belmont Park as Shadwell Stable’s 4-year-old Argentina-bred ran away from four rivals and easily won the 34th edition of the Grade 2, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap for three-year-olds and up at seven furlongs.

The co-feature on an Independence Day card at Belmont – Any Limit won the Grade 2 First Flight one race earlier -- the Tom Fool became Lucky Island’s fourth straight victory and fifth in six starts. Getting a great jump at the start under jockey Alan Garcia, Lucky Island kept a length ahead of Tasteyville on the muddy track through splits of 22.84; 45.37 and 1:09.58.


When Garcia asked for a bit more, Lucky Island obliged by opening up for a 4 ¼-length victory in 1:22.73

“You know, he broke show sharp, that was the key,” said winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. “We thought we might be cleared, but Alan (Garcia) did a great job of getting him away from there. He always had a lot of horse. He’s a very, very VERY nice horse. We are so happy with him.”

Lucky Island’s lone loss came at Calder when, at the time, McLaughlin considered running him in Dubai. As a result, Lucky Island raced that day without the anti-bleeding medication, Lasix. He has since won each of his races by an average of better than three lengths.

Next, McLaughlin said he would point Lucky Island to Saratoga Race Course’s Grade 1, $250,000 Forego Handicap for three-year-olds and up at seven furlongs on Saturday, August 30.

“My horse was so sharp and he broke so good,” Garcia said. “I had a ton of horse all the way around. When I asked him at the end, he acted like the race was just starting again. I was so confident with him. He had a little adjusting to do from Argentina, but now he loves it here.”

Tasteyville held for second, with Premium Wine, Starforaday and Council Member trailing. Not For Money was scratched.


TOM FOOL HANDICAP QUOTES

Winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin of favored Lucky Island (No. 2): “You know, he broke show sharp, that was the key. We thought we might be cleared, but Alan (Garcia) did a great job of getting him away from there. He always had a lot of horse. He’s a very, very VERY nice horse. We are so happy with him. Next, we are looking at the Forego [Grade 1, $250,000 Forego Handicap for three-year-olds and up at seven furlongs, Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, August 30].”

Winning jockey Alan Garcia: “My horse was so sharp and he broke so good. I had a ton of horse all the way around. When I asked him at the end, he acted like the race was just starting again. I was so confident with him. He had a little adjusting to do from Argentina, but now he loves it here.”

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