Lucky N Smart © Benoit Photo

The gelding Lucky N Smart has had a late start in life. He didn’t make it to the races until his 4-year-old season, and only for two races then. But he’s come back firing as a 5-year-old, scoring in a straight maiden affair at Del Mar on opening weekend, then returning today to tally again – this time in a Cal-bred allowance test.

The son of the late sire Vronsky, owned by the collective of Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, Arroyo or Principe, et al, scooted five furlongs on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course in :56.53 to be home first by one length and pick up a winner’s share of $48,600. He was ridden for the second straight time by Kazushi Kimura for trainer Carla Gaines.

Finishing second was race favorite Frank Bullitt, who races in the colors of River Bend Farm, Tannyhill or Weeks, a head in front of the show horse – Molloy or O’Leary’s Ballyvaughan Gig.

The winner paid $11.20 to his backers in the Friday crowd on an overcast afternoon alongside the blue Pacific.

Racing resumes Saturday at Del Mar with first post at the usual 2 p.m.