Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Lucapelo, who notched his third win from his past four starts when he set the pace and fought on grimly to win the $50,000 APG Sales Classic for three-year-old colts and geldings at Gloucester Park on Friday night, will be sent for a well-deserved spell after he contests the $50,000 Caduceus Club Classic next Friday night.
He will run in next Friday night’s 2130m feature event provided he pulls up well following his victory over Magnus Victor and Insta Gator.
“Lucapelo won tonight, but I don’t think he is at his best, and I think he can go better than that,” said trainer Michael Young. “I’ll probably give him a break after his next start.”
Lucapelo, the $1.70 favourite, dashed straight to the front from barrier No. 3 and he was not seriously challenged until the final stages. A lack of pressure enabled Lucapelo to stroll through the lead time in 39.7sec. before ambling through the opening quarters in 32.2sec. and 31.3sec.
Hall gave Lucapelo his head and the gelding dashed over the third 400m section in 28.1sec. before he had to fight grimly over the final quarter in 28.5sec. when seriously challenged by the $18 chance Magnus Victor, who fought on grandly after racing without cover all the way.
Lucapelo, owned by Americans Marc Hanover and Gordon Banks, has earned $68,783 from four wins and four placings from 15 starts.