From DMTC Publicity
DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 1, 2017) — Bookies Luck, overlooked in the betting at 14-1 after finishing eighth in the Graduation Stakes, took command turning for home and cruised to a handy triumph Friday in the featured $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes for Golden State Series eligible two-year-olds at Del Mar.
With Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux in the saddle, Bookies Luck powered past pace-setting Sir Valentine nearing the stretch and was an easy three and one-quarter length winner in 1:10.62 for the six furlongs.
Smokem, 5-2 second choice under apprentice Evin Roman, closed gamely to be second, three and one-quarter lengths ahead of Drizzy. Continental Divide, the 2-1 favorite after his triumph in the Graduation Stakes, was another length back in fourth in the field of seven juveniles. Cono and Get Em Up Scout were withdrawn.
Bookies Luck, a son of Lucky Pulpit owned and bred by Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams and trained by Jeff Bonde, returned $30.20, $13 and $5.60 after his notching his second win in five efforts. First money of $57,000 increased his earnings to $104,640. Runner-up Smokem paid $4 and $3, while Drizzy returned $3.80 to show.