A MAIDEN NO MORE, IRISH-BRED LUCKY GIRL MOVES EARLY AND CRUISES TO  1 ¾ LENGTH WIN IN $75,000 LADY OF SHAMROCK STAKES UNDER BRAVO

                ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 30, 2022)– Winless in four starts, Irish-bred Lucky Girl settled nicely off the early pace and seized the initiative heading to the far turn as she easily held heavily favored Island of Love at bay in Sunday’s $75,000 Lady of Shamrock Stakes at Santa Anita.  Ridden by Joe Bravo and trained by Richard Baltas, Lucky Girl won by 1 ¾ lengths and got one mile on turf in 1:35.71.

                Ridden for the first time by Bravo in her third stateside start here on Dec. 27, Lucky Girl was her own worst enemy as she appeared anxious in the early stages en route to a fifth place effort in a one mile maiden turf race.

                With that experience cataloged, Bravo was able to get Lucky Girl to relax early today, as she was last, about seven lengths off the lead going around the Club House turn.  Into the bridle in the run up the backside, Lucky Girl responded to Bravo’s cue and took off around the far and she enjoyed a one length advantage over Island of Love turning from home.  From there, she was fully in charge in a vastly improved effort.

                Off at 6-1 in a field of six sophomore fillies, Lucky Girl paid $15.60, $4.60 and $3.80.

                Owned by Panic Stable, LLC, she picked up $47,880 for the win and increased her earnings to $53,663.

                Island of Love, an Irish-bred who had won a pair of starts in Italy by a combined 9 ½ lengths, was second best in her U.S. debut as the 4-5 favorite and paid $2.40 and $2.40 with Flavien Prat up.

                Baltas also saddled the third place finisher, Gold Dragon Queen, who was beaten 2 ½ lengths by the favorite.  Off at 12-1 with Umberto Rispoli, Gold Dragon Queen paid $5.00 to show.

                Fractions on the race were 23.08, 47.40, 1:11.35 and 1:23.39.