Lightning Struck Third Winner of Week for Practical Joke

It was a third new winner in two days for Practical Joke on Friday when Lightning Struck (3c Practical Joke x Stone Hope, by Grindstone) won a Maiden Special Weight in his second start.

The Steve Asmussen trainee raced in midpack from the start of the five furlong dirt race under Ty Kennedy. That spot proved to be advantageous, allowing him to race on the outside of horses around the turn and into the stretch.

Lightning Struck continued his wide run down the stretch to keep his momentum and was best by three quarters of a length at the line.

Lightning Stuck was a $100,000 purchase from breeder Nursery Place at Keeneland September by Mike McCarty.

Out of the winning mare Stone Hope, Lightning Struck is a half-brother to Group II winner and Group I-placed Spirit Of Valor and to stakes winner and Grade II-placed Street Life. Their dam is a half-sister to Grade II winner Brilliant and to the dams of Grade III winner Chart and stakes winner Ring of Kerry with Grade I winning Furiously under his third dam.

Practical Joke’s four 2022 winners is third best among all second-crop sires this year with the stallion sitting second best behind studmate Cupid by earnings.