Prince Lucky again, and more: The week in social media

by | Mar 1, 2019 | Breaking, Business, Regionwide, Top Stories

by Chelsea Lowman

This week on social media, the Mid-Atlantic region has been talking about the New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year, a victorious Pennsylvania-bred, and entertainment for the InfieldFest at the 144th Preakness Stakes.

Here’s the buzz:

Sunny Ridge named NJ-bred Horse of the Year

A gray gelding made headlines on social media over the past week when it was announced that Sunny Ridge was honored as the New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year, as well as champion older male, for 2018. Owned and bred by Dennis A. Drazin, Sunny Ridge is trained by Jason Servis.

The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey honored the 6-year-old son of Holy Bull for his accomplishments in 2018, which consisted of a 3 ¼ length victory in the State Dinner Stakes, as well as third place finishes in the Salvator Mile Stakes (Gr.3) and Cigar Mile (Gr.1), and a second place finish in the Kelso Handicap (Gr.2).

Sunny Ridge closed out his 2018 season with earnings of $241,500, making him the fifth-richest New Jersey-bred in history with total career earnings of $1,199,902.

(Prince) Lucky again

Pennsylvania-bred Prince Lucky sparked excitement throughout social media over the past weekend when he powered home to win the $100,000 Hal’s Hope Stakes (Gr.3) at Gulfstream Park. Owned by Daniel McConnell of Greenville Stables and ridden by John Valezquez, Prince Lucky completed the one-mile test in a final time of 1:34.84, drawing off to score by six convincing lengths. It was the first race of the season for the Todd Pletcher trainee, who was last seen on June 9 of 2018, when he cruised to victory in the Easy Goer Stakes at Belmont Park.

Prince Lucky had been under consideration for a trip to Dubau, but, while official plans have not yet been made, a possible target for Prince Lucky’s next start now looks to be the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Mile (Gr.2), which will take place on March 30.

InfieldFest acts announced

Entertainment for the 2019 Preakness InfieldFest was announced this week. Diplo and Kygo will be taking center stage, performing electronic dance music for the crowd. Other performers slated to make an appearance at the InfieldFest are Logic and Juice Wrld, as well as DJs Fisher and Frank Walker.

Tickets for admission to the 144th Preakness Stakes and InfieldFest start at $59 for general admission, and rise to $89 for Mug Club tickets, which include a souvenir mug with an unlimited amount of beer served, along with admission.

The event will take place on May 18.