Lookin At Lucky gets some luck ... finally

Saturday's running of the Grade I $1,000,000 Preakness Stakes went off pretty much as expected, Lookin at Lucky finally got a decent trip under new rider Martin Garcia who replaced regular rider Garret Gomez after a few unlucky trips in the Santa Anita Handicap and the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Bob Baffert explained he wasn't placing any blame on Gomez but rather trying to bring back the "mojo" that had been missing. While we don't blame Gomez for the Kentucky Derby ride, more of the rail post doing in the son of Smart Strike, we feel it was the rides in the Santa Anita Derby and Breeders' Cup Juvenile that prompted the change in riders. Garcia did a good job keeping the colt out of trouble and he put 'Lucky in the spot to win the race which he did at $6.80. Perhaps the surprise of the race was with Super Saver, the Kentucky Derby winner who was nowhere at the finish line under Calvin Borel. Borel was quoted after the race that the Derby winner simply "came up empty" and had nothing for the stretch. So much for the Triple Crown that Borel promised everyone after the Derby win. Next stop will be Belmont.

Rail Trip returned to Hollywood Park in fine fashion and won the Grade II Mervyn LeRoy in his first start back since last being seen in September of last year. With Rafael Bejarano on board replacing Jose Valdivia, Rail Trip won by 3 1/4-lengths and paid $3.

Zenyatta continues to work and maintain a low profile since winning the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park. Her next scheduled start could be in the Grade I Vanity handicap although no word has come from her connections as of yet.

Veteran trainer Jack Van Berg who had been in the midst of a 0 for 19 streak here at Hollywood Park and a dry 2 for 104 spell in 2010 has sprung to life over the weekend when saddling Fortunate Victory on Saturday to a $70.60 win in the 7th race under Alonso Quinonez. The 0 for 29 gelding broke his maiden vs. $25k maiden claimers. Van Berg's win here helped with a Pick 6 carryover of $85,741 into Sunday's card.

If Saturday's win wasn't quite enough, Van Berg pulled off yet another shocker on Sunday when the 5-year-old gelding Court Hero made his debut a winning one under Tyler Baze at $44.80. The gelded son of Dearchy had been drilling for his debut at Los Alamitos before arriving at Hollywood Park to work three times before loading into the gate for his maiden debut. It's been our experience that when fire strikes like this for a barn that it's wise to keep an eye on starters for a few days.

This years Preakness wagering was down 11.6% from last year it has been reported by Pimlico Race Course. Last years wagering was 59,726,342 compared to 52,766,815 this year. The result is a $7-million decline.