Madefromlucky proves best for Pletcher in West Virginia Derby

Last seen finishing a distant sixth to American Pharoah in the Belmont Stakes (G1), Madefromlucky rebounded with a victory in Saturday’s $750,000 West Virginia Derby (G2). The chestnut colt rallied wide into contention leaving the far turn and overhauled Souper Colossal in midstretch to score by 1 ½ lengths.

Joe Bravo picked up the mount for Todd Pletcher, who enjoyed a tremendous afternoon with three graded stakes victories. The leading trainer also captured the A.P. Vanderbilt (G1) and Bowling Green (G2) at Saratoga with Rock Fall and Red Rifle, respectively.

Madefromlucky, who is campaigned by Cheyenne Stables LLC and Mac Nichol, registered his first graded win in the May 9 Peter Pan (G2) at Belmont Park two starts back. In his first two graded attempts earlier this season, the Kentucky-bred finished well behind American Pharoah when second in the Rebel (G2) and fourth in the Arkansas Derby (G1).

A slight 5-2 favorite among nine rivals, Madefromlucky raced in midpack behind opening splits of :24.19, :48.67 and 1:13.01 before making his move. He completed the 1 1/8-mile distance in 1:51 2/5.

The $1.25 million Travers (G1) at Saratoga on August 29 could be next, but Madefromlucky figures to be stepping up against much deeper competition in that spot.

The West Virginia Derby represented an encouraging step forward, but Madefromlucky will need to keep improving to show he belongs among the upper echelon of his division – Souper Colossal was exiting a runner-up finish in the in the July 11 Long Branch at Monmouth Park to Stanford, who disappointed mightily with a dull fifth as the favorite in Friday’s restricted Curlin at Saratoga.

From the first crop of champion Lookin at Lucky, Madefromlucky is out of the unraced Pulpit mare Home from Oz, a full sister to leading sire Tapit. Both are by the stakes-winning Tap Your Heels, a daughter of Unbridled.

Purchased for $150,000 at the 2014 OBS March juvenile sale, Madefromlucky has now earned $875,200 from a 10-4-2-1 record.

Madefromlucky photo courtesy of Coady Photography