Niels Petersen and Carlos Lopez opened Derby Day with a commanding favourite’s win, as Airborne Racing’s I Got Lucky took the Stald Klampenborg two-year-old maiden series by five lengths – the first chapter in a big day for the Norwegian stable.
Derby Day at Klampenborg was opened at a furious pace by Niels Petersen’s I Got Lucky (Juniper Tree), who with Carlos Lopez justified strong favouritism in the two-year-old maiden series and won by no less than five lengths.
The bay colt relegated the Lea Olsen-trained Azisol (Appel Au Maitre) to second, while Rikke Rohbach Bonde’s Icelady Carlras (Oasis Dream) under Nicolaj Stott claimed third ahead of Half Angel (Moohaajim) and Magic Momentum (Magician).
The first prize was DKK 24,000, and the win set the tone for an unusually big day for both Niels Petersen and Carlos Lopez, who would visit the winner’s circle several more times before the evening was over.
The greatest joy, however, belonged to Carsten Nørgaard, who through Breeding & Racing I/S and Airborne Racing is both co-breeder and owner of the huge talent I Got Lucky.
I Got Lucky is by Juniper Tree (Galileo) and the first foal out of the former Svenskt Oaks winner Alwaysonmymind (Appel Au Maitre), herself closely related to the legendary Suspicious Mind (Appel Au Maitre).
The colt was foaled in England but raised in the paddocks of York Stutteri, where Alwaysonmymind is also boarded as a permanent broodmare.
At this autumn’s Scandinavian Open Yearling Sale, York Stutteri will also present an Iffraaj half-sister to I Got Lucky.
Carsten Nørgaard is furthermore – through Joca Stable – the breeder of the maiden race’s third horse, Icelady Carlras (Oasis Dream), likewise raised at York Stutteri.
It is hardly the last time this year we will see I Got Lucky on the Klampenborg turf, and at this stage he looks a favourite for the big autumn races.
