Lookin At Lucky’s Wells Bayou Wins Louisiana Derby

A year after son Country House won the Grade I Kentucky Derby, Wells Bayou (3c Lookin At Lucky x Whispering Angel, by Hard Spun) became another exciting Derby prospect for Lookin At Lucky when winning the Grade II Louisiana Derby and earning 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Making his second start in a Kentucky Derby prep after finishing second in the Grade III Southwest Stakes last out, Wells Bayou quickly took over the lead out of the gate. Allowed to dictate the pace in the 1 3/16 mile race, he still looked to have plenty left under Florent Geroux as the field turned into the stretch.

Already a length in front, Wells Bayou continued to pull away as he raced down the stretch and was given a hand ride in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by 1½ lengths with Uncle Mo’s Modernist in third. The victory was the second half of a Fair Grounds prep double for Coolmore America sires with Munnings’ Bonny South winning the Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks earlier on the card.

“We did some moving and shaking with him over the last couple months and it was for his benefit and it worked out really well,” Cox said. “We are really happy with our assistants and everybody involved does an incredible job. We have a great team in place, and it showed today. We just have to figure out how to get them to the first Friday and Saturday in September and not May. It is uncharted territory and we will do the best we can.”

Owned by Clint Gasaway, Lance Gasaway, Madaket Stables, and Wonder Stables, Wells Bayou was a $105,000 2-year-old last year at the OBS March Sale. Bred by Knowles Bloodstock, he is the first foal for winning mare Whispering Angel. Out of a half-sister to the dam of Champion Big Brown, Whispering Angel is a half-sister to Listed winner Mamba Negra.

The sire of 35 graded stakes winners and 54 stakes winners with 106 stakes horses overall, value sire Lookin At Lucky’s 13 Grade I winners include Champion Accelerate.