A ninth group 1 for Jessica Harrington, only her second with a colt, a fifth for Shane Foley, and a first for owner Zhang Yuesheng.
The Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (G1) had a wide open look to it beforehand. Nine of the 10 runners had won previously and the only one who had not, St Mark's Basilica, was sent off favorite.
There was the Norfolk Stakes (G2) winner, the Molecomb Stakes (G3) winner, the 1-2 from the GAIN Railway Stakes (G2) and the Prix Robert Papin (G2). It looked a quality renewal.
If that was the case, then we witnessed something very special indeed as Lucky Vega ripped up the pre-race script by turning the first group 1 juvenile contest of the season into a procession. It was even more impressive than the 3 1/2-length winning margin suggests.
Foley sat motionless two furlongs out. So smooth was his journey to that point that you thought there must be a few potholes to come in the closing stages. Group 1s could never been won so easily. Only this one was, as the response was instant once he tapped the accelerator and Lucky Vega coasted home in splendid isolation.
"That's Mr. Zhang's first group 1 winner worldwide, so I'm thrilled for him," Harrington said. "I'm absolutely delighted for the horse too. He's nice and Shane said he's getting quicker all the time."
The Lope de Vega colt only finish second to Laws of Indices in the Railway Stakes last month. That form was emphatically reversed here.
"He probably needed it the last day because he had won his maiden without getting into a battle. The last day, when he got into a bit of a battle, it just hardened him up. He was much more streetwise and, on his work at home, he had really started to come to himself," the trainer said. "We thought he was working well but you never know until you go racing and everyone said this was a strong renewal of the Phoenix."
The Sept. 26 Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (G1) at Newmarket looks like it is next on the agenda for Lucky Vega.
"We'll have to sit down and have a think about where to go now, but Shane said we should probably be thinking about the Middle Park. I think he'll get seven as well," Harrington added. "Last year was all about the fillies so it's great this year to come up with a good colt."
The battle for second and third was much tighter. Aloha Star passed the post a short head in front of The Lir Jet, but the stewards deemed there was sufficient interference for those placings to be reversed.
The big disappointment of the race was the previously unbeaten Steel Bull, only recently bought by Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez, who trailed in seventh. There was a valid reason for the subdued showing, however, as trainer Michael O'Callaghan reported that the impressive Molecomb winner banged his head in the stalls and knocked out two of his teeth.
Lucky Vega Another Top-Class Juvenile for Lope De Vega
Lucky Vega has proven himself to be another top-class juvenile for Ballylinch Stud stalwart Lope de Vega, now the sire of 11 winners at the highest level worldwide.
Lucky Vega was bred by Kilcarn Stud and is the sixth foal out of the Cape Cross mare Queen of Carthage, whose other two winners are by Canford Cliffs and Zoffany.
Queen of Carthage is a daughter of the 2007 Prix de l'Opera Casino Barriere d'Enghien Les Bains (G1) winner Satwa Queen, whose half brother Spadoun was a group 1-winning juvenile in France.
The mare also has a Free Eagle yearling filly and a 2020 Footstepsinthesand colt.
Lucky Vega was purchased by Michael Roy as a foal for €110,000 (US$125,070) at the Goffs November Sale, and changed hands again at the Orby Sale when he was bought by BBA Ireland and Yulong Investments for €175,000 ($191,330) from Baroda Stud.
Lope de Vega stood at a career-high fee of €100,000 during his 10th covering season at Ballylinch this year. Among his runners to have won grade/group 1 races at 2 are the Dewhurst Stakes (G1) scorer Belardo, Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) Newspaperofrecord, and Natalma Stakes (G1T) winner Capla Temptress.
