Itsmyluckyday works out at Calder

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Miami Gardens, FL (Sports Network) - Florida Derby runner-up Itsmyluckyday had his next to last Kentucky Derby workout Thursday morning at Calder Race Course.

Trained by Ed Plesa Jr., Itsmyluckyday worked a mile on Calder's main track in 1:43 1/5. The colt will have one more workout at Calder before leaving for Louisville next week.

"He is scheduled to leave Friday, the 26th," assistant trainer Frankie Perez said. "I'll be making the trip with him and will be watching him all the way."

Itsmyluckyday is owned by the trainer's wife Laurie and Trilogy Stable.

"Just walking a horse like him through the barn is the best feeling there is," Perez said. "Knowing that right there, in my hands, I'm holding a horse that could be a champion and is worth millions. Not everybody gets to experience that.

"I'll sleep right there next to him if I have to. I don't care where I stay. Wherever he goes, that's where you'll find me."

Perez has been to the Kentucky Derby twice before. He worked for trainer Frank Brothers who in 1989 had Dansil finish fourth to Sunday Silence and 10 years later accompanied Plesa and filly Three Rings who was last behind Charismatic.

"It's exciting to make that walk, there is no question about that, but my only concern is going to be right there," Perez said concerning Itsmyluckyday. "There are so many little things that can go wrong and my job is to make sure that the horse stays happy and calm. You don't want him losing his race before he even gets to the paddock."

The 3-year-old son of Lawyer Ron has earned $625,600 with wins in half of his 10 career starts. Before his second-place finish to Orb on March 30 he won the Gulfstream Park Derby on Jan. 1 and Holy Bull Stakes 25 days later.