Lucky Speed beats Panama Hat to win the St Leger (Pic: Four Footed Fotos)
Maine Chance stallion Silvano sired the winner of the $350 000 Gr3 American St Leger at Arlington International Racecourse on Saturday.
Lucky Speed showed an appreciation for the longer trip and saved all for the stretch run, surging from off the pace to collar Team Valor International’s Panama Hat (GB) late and score in track record time.
With Andrasch Starke aboard for trainer Peter Schiergen, Stall Hornoldendorf’s 5-year-old runner scored his first North American win while covering a 1 1/16-mile trip on firm turf in 2:46.50.
Team Valor International’s Panama Hat, who rallied past Alpha Kitalpha, Az Ridge, and Roman Approval to lead into the stretch, was second – so European-based horses filled the top two spots. Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Hyper, the 2-1 favorite,was third.
Lucky Speed was making only his second North American start following his fourth in the Gr2 Nijinsky Stakes July 19 at Woodbine. He halted a five-race winless stretch dating from his 2013 victory in the Gr1 German Derby .
With Saturday’s victory, his record improves to 4-1-2 from 10 career starts.
“We knew he needed more distance and that’s what he got today in the American St. Leger, he can handle the American track very well,” Starke said. “I am so happy this is my first win in the United States and to win the St. Leger is amazing. It was the right conditions to bring him over here and I’m very happy.”
Lucky Speed was bred by Gestut Hof Ittlingen and is by Silvano out of the Monsun mare, Lysuna.
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