Ismelucky gets stakes test

CYPRESS, Calif. – Just when Ismelucky seemed poised for a big summer campaign, the filly was sidelined shortly after an impressive maiden win at Santa Anita in May.

“I own half of her, and I didn’t want to push her when she wasn’t 100 percent,” said trainer Jeff Bonde, who co-owns the California-bred filly with Jerome Russell.

Ismelucky has not started since beating open company in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden race in her second start on May 18. On Saturday, Ismelucky will have her stakes debut in the $100,000 Barretts Debutante for 2-yearold fillies at Los Alamitos. The race is restricted to fillies that passed through a Barretts sale. Ismelucky was purchased for $90,000 at the Barretts October yearling sale last fall, the second most expensive filly of the sale.

Despite the layoff, Ismelucky will be favored in the Debutante, which is run at 6 1/2 furlongs and drew a field of nine. There are seven maidens in the field. Expendy won a $30,000 maiden-claimer at Los Alamitos last Sunday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Ismelucky, by Lucky Pulpit Beyers: 58-61

◗ Bonde said Ismelucky “got a little tight behind” after her maiden win and needed a brief rest.

Ismelucky has had a steady pattern of workouts since early August, including two six-furlong workouts in recent weeks.

◗ Her pedigree suggests a stakes win is within reach. Ismelucky is by the late leading stallion Lucky Pulpit and is out of Ismene, who won two sprint stakes for 2-year-old fillies.

◗ Ismelucky will be ridden by Kent Desormeaux, who swept the two stakes at Los Alamitos last Saturday. Martin Garcia, sidelined with back issues, won on Ismelucky in May. Bonde expects Ismelucky to be prominent from the start from the inside post.

Exuberance, by Archarcharch Beyer: 51

◗ Exuberance was third in her debut in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 26, closing from seventh in a field of nine to finish 3 1/4 lengths behind True Royalty. Exuberance was finishing quickly, leaving trainer Ian Kruljac hopeful that the longer distance of the Barretts Debutante will suit her.

Exuberance was purchased for $100,000 at the Barretts select sale of 2-year-olds in training in March at Del Mar.

Helen’s Tiger, by Smiling Tiger Last 3 Beyers: 46-43-33

◗ Helen’s Tiger is the most experienced filly in the field, with three starts, and must improve to be a factor. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Helen’s Tiger was was within 1 1/4 lengths of the lead with a furlong to go in her most recent race, a $50,000 claimer for Californiabred maiden fillies on Aug. 24 at Del Mar, but was beaten 2 1/4 lengths. She will be fitted with blinkers for the first time on Saturday.