Lucullan took the lead in the stretch then held off the late challenge of Sacred Life to win the Fasig-Tipton Lure Stakes by a nose at Saratoga 3 Aug 2019.
It was the first Stakes victory for the five-year-old son of Hard Spun, who has hit-the-board in nine of eleven starts.
Lucullan raced in third behind Voodoo Song and Noble Indy, as that pair led the field through a swift opening quarter in 23.38 and a half-mile in 46.97. Lucullan, who had begun closing on the leaders on the far turn, ranged up alongside Voodoo Song as the runners hit the top of the stretch. Lucullan quickly put away Voodoo Song and set sail for home, as Sacred Life closed in on the far outside.
Lucullan and Sacred Life battled in deep stretch, with Lucullan getting the bob and winning by a determined nose.
Lucullan was bred in Kentucky by Darley, and races as a homebred for Godolphin Racing. He is out of Golden Velvet (by Seeking the Gold), winner of the G3 Sixty Sails Handicap and G3 Sabin Stakes. Lucullan is a half-brother to the talented filly Innovative Idea (by Bernardini), winner of the G3 Groupie Doll Stakes. Other standouts found in Lucullan’s immediate family are multiple Graded Stakes winner, Caress, and G1 Hopeful Stakes winner, Sky Mesa, to name just a few.
Hard Spun has sired over 70 career Stakes winners, including 10 Grade 1 winners. Hard Spun had a tremendous spring, led by his three-year-old daughter, Out For A Spin, winner of the G1 Central Bank Ashland Stakes. The stallion is also the sire of A Thread Of Blue, winner of the G3 Palm Beach Stakes and Hard Legacy, winner of the G3 Regret Stakes.
