Expensive Practical Joke Filly Romps On Debut

A $520,000 yearling purchase for racing owners WinStar Farm and Siena Farm, Practical Joke’s Party Favor (3f Practical Joke x Lucky Rose, by Lookin At Lucky) got her career off to a perfect start on Friday in a Gulfstream Park Maiden Special Weight.

Making her debut going six furlongs on the dirt, the Todd Pletcher trainee raced three lengths behind the leader for the first half of the race until they entered the final stages of the backstretch. Leonel Reyes started riding her at that point, giving her a tap with his whip as they raced wide around the field.

Racing down the middle of the track, Party Favor didn’t have command of the race until the final furlong but after that the race was all but over. Though she showed a little greenness once in front, Party Favor won by 6 ¼ lengths with the third placed horse 8 ¾ lengths behind her.

Hunter Valley Farm, Keith Lazarz, and Pat Barrett bred the filly out of Lookin At Lucky daughter Lucky Rose. That mare has now produced three winners from three to race. She is a half-sister to Rhumb Line, who produced dual Grade I winner Zazu, who herself is the dam of three stakes performers. Rhumb Line is also the dam of Grade III winner and Grade I placed Flashback and stakes winner Corinthian’s Jewel.

Those under Party Favor’s second dam also includes Grade III winner Hush Writer among the 10 stakes performers named. The extended family includes Brazilian and Canadian champion Jolie Olimpica, Lookin At Lucky’s Grade I Kentucky Derby winner Country House, and Grade I winner Perfect Reflection.

Practical Joke is the sire of 46 winners in 2023, including five stakes winners and eight stakes performers. That group is led by Grade I winner and Kentucky Derby hopeful Practical Move.