Lookin At Lucky (USA)
May 27, 2007 – Living
Smart Strike (CAN) x Private Feeling (USA), by Belong to Me (USA)
Family 9-f
May 27, 2007 – Living
Smart Strike (CAN) x Private Feeling (USA), by Belong to Me (USA)
Family 9-f
In spite of his being a two-time American champion and an extremely consistent racehorse, Lookin At Lucky never seemed to get quite the respect he merited—perhaps because when the cameras of national television were out for racing’s biggest days, the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup, he was unable to bring off a victory in the spotlight. Likewise, he has been underappreciated as a sire even though he has been a two-time champion sire in Chile and a good sire of honest, hard-trying older horses in North America, helping to continue the Smart Strike branch of the Mr. Prospector male line.
Race record
13 starts, 9 wins, 1 second, 1 third, US$3,307,278
2009:
2010:
Honors
Assessments
Co-highweighted at 126 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 2009, tied with Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Vale of York.
Rated at 124 pounds on the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for his performance in the Haskell Invitational, 6 pounds below overall highweight Harbinger and 5 pounds below the top-rated dirt performer, Blame (who earned his rating in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, USA-G1) but tied with Wood Memorial (USA-G1) winner Eskendereya for the best performance on dirt by a 3-year-old male.
As an individual
A rather plain but well-made bay horse with a strong masculine presence, Lookin At Lucky has a deep, well-laid shoulder, short coupling, and strong hindquarters. His cannons are short and he has good bone. He exhibited a long, efficient stride and great determination when racing, typically running down his rivals with a sustained drive rather than showing an explosive turn of foot. He had a professional demeanor as a racehorse.
As a stallion
According to statistics complied by The Jockey Club, Lookin At Lucky has sired 74 stakes winners as of October 7, 2023. In North America, his runners have typically been two-turn horses that need some time to mature, but his Chilean runners have been more precocious.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per the Stud Book de Chile (www.studbookdechile.cl):
Notable progeny
Accelerate (USA), Conquer (CHI), Country House (USA), Dafonda (CHI), Diane (CHI), El Picaro (CHI), Full of Luck (CHI), Kurilov (CHI), La Canita (CHI), Look Pen (CHI), Lukka (CHI), Muy Gracioso (CHI), Nenufar Azul (CHI), Racatan (CHI), Royal Luck (CHI), Tokerau (CHI), Toplucky (CHI), Viejos Tiempos (CHI), Wow Cat (CHI)
Look Pen was sent to Hong Kong following his sweep of the Chilean Triple Crown and became a Group 1 winner there in 2021 under the name of "Panfield."
El Picaro was sent to Hong Kong after becoming a multiple Group 1 winner and champion in Chile and became a local Group 1 winner in Singapore in 2022 under the name of "Hongkong Great."
Notable progeny of daughters
Joke Sisi (CHI), Timberlake (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Lookin At Lucky was bred by Gulf Coast Farms. A US$475,000 purchase from the 2009 Keeneland April sale of 2-year-olds in training, he was owned by Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman. He was trained by Bob Baffert. He was ridden throughout his juvenile season by Garrett Gomez but won the Preakness Stakes under Martin Garcia, who picked up the mount after Lookin At Lucky endured difficult trips in his first three starts at 3. Lookin At Lucky entered stud in 2011 in Kentucky at Ashford Stud. He stood the 2011 Southern Hemisphere season at Coolmore Australia and shuttled to Haras Pas Nevado, Chile, in 2012-2015, 2017, and 2018. He stood the Southern Hemisphere seasons at Haras Don Alberto, Chile, in 2021 and 2022 and returned there in 2023. In October of that year, Ashford Stud announced that Lookin At Lucky would remain in Chile following the conclusion of the 2023 Southern Hemisphere season.
Pedigree notes
Lookin At Lucky is inbred 3x5 to 1963 American co-champion 2-year-old male Raise a Native and 4x6x6x6x5x7 to Raise a Native’s sire, two-time American Horse of the Year Native Dancer. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 2 winner Kensei (by Mr. Greeley) and to multiple Grade/Group 3 winner Shahama (by Munnings).
Lookin At Lucky is out of the winner Private Feeling, whose sire Belong to Me (by Danzig) was a multiple Grade 3 winner over sprint distances and was a good sire at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky. Private Feeling is a half sister to Grade 3 winner Grand Charmer (by Lord Avie), second dam of 2006 American champion 3-year-old filly Wait a While, and is out of listed stakes-placed Regal Feeling (by Clever Trick).
Regal Feeling, in turn, is out of 1978 Monmouth Oaks (USA-G1) winner Sharp Belle (by Native Charger), a half sister to multiple stakes winners Northern Prospect and Sue Babe (both by Mr. Prospector). The last-named mare is the dam of Budweiser Irish Derby (IRE-G1) winner Sir Harry Lewis (by Alleged) and restricted stakes winners Sir Richard Lewis (by Carr de Naskra) and Cyrano (by Seattle Slew) and is the second dam of Grade 3 winner Champagneforashley. Produced from the Northern Dancer mare Sleek Dancer, Sharp Belle is also a half sister to Sleek Belle (by Vaguely Noble), dam of Grade 3 winner Witwatersrand (by Mr. Prospector) and stakes winners Sleek Gold (by Mr. Prospector), Chic Belle (by Mr. Prospector), and Sleek Feet (by Seattle Slew) and second dam of 1994 Yushin Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner Chokai Carol and Grade 3 winner Nelson. In addition, Sharp Belle is a half sister to Babes Sis (by Raise a Native), second dam of 2000 Ramona Handicap (USA-G1) winner Caffe Latte.
Books and media
Lookin At Lucky’s win in the 2010 Preakness can be viewed in connection with Chelsea Lowman’s article “Preakness Memories: Lookin At Lucky Catches a Break” at The Racing Biz (https://www.theracingbiz.com/2020/09/30/preakness-memories-lookin-at-lucky/).
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photo taken by Jessica Morgan at Ashford Stud in 2012. Used by permission.
Last updated: January 2, 2025
Race record
13 starts, 9 wins, 1 second, 1 third, US$3,307,278
2009:
- Won Del Mar Futurity (USA-G1, 7FA, Del Mar)
- Won Norfolk Stakes (USA-G1, 8.5FA, Santa Anita)
- Won CashCall Futurity (USA-G1, 8.5FA, Hollywood)
- Won Best Pal Stakes (USA-G3, 6.5FA, Del Mar)
- 2nd Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (USA-G1, 8.5FA, Santa Anita)
2010:
- Won Preakness Stakes (USA-G1, 9.5FD, Pimlico)
- Won Izod Haskell Invitational Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Monmouth)
- Won Rebel Stakes (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Oaklawn Park)
- Won Indiana Derby (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Hoosier Park)
- 3rd Santa Anita Derby (USA-G1, 9FA, SA)
Honors
- Eclipse Award, American champion 2-year-old male (2009)
- Eclipse Award, American champion 3-year-old male (2010)
Assessments
Co-highweighted at 126 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 2009, tied with Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Vale of York.
Rated at 124 pounds on the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for his performance in the Haskell Invitational, 6 pounds below overall highweight Harbinger and 5 pounds below the top-rated dirt performer, Blame (who earned his rating in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, USA-G1) but tied with Wood Memorial (USA-G1) winner Eskendereya for the best performance on dirt by a 3-year-old male.
As an individual
A rather plain but well-made bay horse with a strong masculine presence, Lookin At Lucky has a deep, well-laid shoulder, short coupling, and strong hindquarters. His cannons are short and he has good bone. He exhibited a long, efficient stride and great determination when racing, typically running down his rivals with a sustained drive rather than showing an explosive turn of foot. He had a professional demeanor as a racehorse.
As a stallion
According to statistics complied by The Jockey Club, Lookin At Lucky has sired 74 stakes winners as of October 7, 2023. In North America, his runners have typically been two-turn horses that need some time to mature, but his Chilean runners have been more precocious.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
- 7th on the North American general sire list in 2018.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 9th on the American general sire list in 2018.
- Led the Chilean general sire list in 2017 and 2018; 2nd in 2019; 3rd in 2020; 6th in 2021.
Per the Stud Book de Chile (www.studbookdechile.cl):
- Led the Chilean general sire list in 2017 and 2018; 2nd in 2019 and 2022; 3rd in 2020; 4th in 2023; 6th in 2021.
- 6th on the Chilean broodmare sire list in 2024.
Notable progeny
Accelerate (USA), Conquer (CHI), Country House (USA), Dafonda (CHI), Diane (CHI), El Picaro (CHI), Full of Luck (CHI), Kurilov (CHI), La Canita (CHI), Look Pen (CHI), Lukka (CHI), Muy Gracioso (CHI), Nenufar Azul (CHI), Racatan (CHI), Royal Luck (CHI), Tokerau (CHI), Toplucky (CHI), Viejos Tiempos (CHI), Wow Cat (CHI)
Look Pen was sent to Hong Kong following his sweep of the Chilean Triple Crown and became a Group 1 winner there in 2021 under the name of "Panfield."
El Picaro was sent to Hong Kong after becoming a multiple Group 1 winner and champion in Chile and became a local Group 1 winner in Singapore in 2022 under the name of "Hongkong Great."
Notable progeny of daughters
Joke Sisi (CHI), Timberlake (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Lookin At Lucky was bred by Gulf Coast Farms. A US$475,000 purchase from the 2009 Keeneland April sale of 2-year-olds in training, he was owned by Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman. He was trained by Bob Baffert. He was ridden throughout his juvenile season by Garrett Gomez but won the Preakness Stakes under Martin Garcia, who picked up the mount after Lookin At Lucky endured difficult trips in his first three starts at 3. Lookin At Lucky entered stud in 2011 in Kentucky at Ashford Stud. He stood the 2011 Southern Hemisphere season at Coolmore Australia and shuttled to Haras Pas Nevado, Chile, in 2012-2015, 2017, and 2018. He stood the Southern Hemisphere seasons at Haras Don Alberto, Chile, in 2021 and 2022 and returned there in 2023. In October of that year, Ashford Stud announced that Lookin At Lucky would remain in Chile following the conclusion of the 2023 Southern Hemisphere season.
Pedigree notes
Lookin At Lucky is inbred 3x5 to 1963 American co-champion 2-year-old male Raise a Native and 4x6x6x6x5x7 to Raise a Native’s sire, two-time American Horse of the Year Native Dancer. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 2 winner Kensei (by Mr. Greeley) and to multiple Grade/Group 3 winner Shahama (by Munnings).
Lookin At Lucky is out of the winner Private Feeling, whose sire Belong to Me (by Danzig) was a multiple Grade 3 winner over sprint distances and was a good sire at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky. Private Feeling is a half sister to Grade 3 winner Grand Charmer (by Lord Avie), second dam of 2006 American champion 3-year-old filly Wait a While, and is out of listed stakes-placed Regal Feeling (by Clever Trick).
Regal Feeling, in turn, is out of 1978 Monmouth Oaks (USA-G1) winner Sharp Belle (by Native Charger), a half sister to multiple stakes winners Northern Prospect and Sue Babe (both by Mr. Prospector). The last-named mare is the dam of Budweiser Irish Derby (IRE-G1) winner Sir Harry Lewis (by Alleged) and restricted stakes winners Sir Richard Lewis (by Carr de Naskra) and Cyrano (by Seattle Slew) and is the second dam of Grade 3 winner Champagneforashley. Produced from the Northern Dancer mare Sleek Dancer, Sharp Belle is also a half sister to Sleek Belle (by Vaguely Noble), dam of Grade 3 winner Witwatersrand (by Mr. Prospector) and stakes winners Sleek Gold (by Mr. Prospector), Chic Belle (by Mr. Prospector), and Sleek Feet (by Seattle Slew) and second dam of 1994 Yushin Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner Chokai Carol and Grade 3 winner Nelson. In addition, Sharp Belle is a half sister to Babes Sis (by Raise a Native), second dam of 2000 Ramona Handicap (USA-G1) winner Caffe Latte.
Books and media
Lookin At Lucky’s win in the 2010 Preakness can be viewed in connection with Chelsea Lowman’s article “Preakness Memories: Lookin At Lucky Catches a Break” at The Racing Biz (https://www.theracingbiz.com/2020/09/30/preakness-memories-lookin-at-lucky/).
Fun facts
- Lookin At Lucky got his name from a conversation between co-owners Karl Weitman and Mike Pegram soon after their purchase of the colt. According to Tracy Gantz of The Blood-Horse, the two were discussing their fortunes in the horse business and their latest acquisition when Weitman told Pegram, “You’ve been lucky in the horse business. But I’m going to tell you something. You’re looking at lucky now.” Pegram replied, “You’ve just named the horse.”
- Lookin At Lucky was the first horse to win back-to-back titles as American champion 2-year-old male and American champion 3-year-old male since Spectacular Bid, who won his championships in 1978 and 1979.
- As a juvenile of 2009, Lookin At Lucky was one of two horses who became the first American runners to win championship titles while earning stakes wins exclusively on synthetic surfaces. The other was champion older female Zenyatta, who did all her racing in 2009 at Hollywood and Santa Anita.
- Martin Garcia had only five years of experience as a jockey when he rode Lookin At Lucky to victory in the Preakness. As a newly arrived immigrant in 2003, he had been working at Chicago’s Metropolitan Deli in Pleasanton, California, when he was encouraged to try a racing career by the deli owner, Terri Terry. After Garcia got his jockey’s license two years later, he continued working two days a week at the deli for another year to show his gratitude.
Photo credit
Photo taken by Jessica Morgan at Ashford Stud in 2012. Used by permission.
Last updated: January 2, 2025