Breeders' Cup Juvenile: Lukas retains faith in Strong Mandate

With a chance to take control of the 2-year-old division, Strong Mandate was flat in the Grade 1 Champagne on Oct. 5 at Belmont, finishing a never-in-the-hunt seventh.

Not one to be deterred easily, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said he will lead Strong Mandate to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita “with confidence” that the horse who dominated the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga on Labor Day will resurface.

“I think this is one of the very special horses I’ve had, and I’ve had some good ones,” Lukas, who has recorded five of his record 19 Breeders’ Cup victories in the Juvenile, said Wednesday by phone from Kentucky. “He’s got tactical speed. He finishes. Two turns I don’t think will do anything but compliment him.”

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Lukas went into the Champagne feeling very good about his colt’s chances in the race. He felt the horse had a good week of training over Belmont’s main track and was ready to run a big race. Though Strong Mandate broke on top, he quickly dropped back to seventh under Jose Ortiz and never got involved thereafter.

Lukas said he had instructed Ortiz to ride him like he did in the Hopeful, meaning put him close to the pace. Strong Mandate dominated the Hopeful by 9 3/4 lengths over the slop at Saratoga.

“He didn’t do anything I asked him to do,” Lukas said of Ortiz.

Thus, it is no surprise that Lukas is making a rider switch to Joel Rosario for the Juvenile.

Strong Mandate, a son of Tiznow, worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds at Churchill Downs on Tuesday, his first work since the Champagne. According to the Churchill Downs press department, Strong Mandate went his first three furlongs in 34.80 seconds while working in company with Chalybeate Springs, a 4-year-old claiming horse who was timed in 1:00.60 for the same distance.

Strong Mandate will likely work again at Churchill before shipping to Santa Anita on Tuesday. Lukas wants Strong Mandate to have his final breeze over the Santa Anita track. Strong Mandate will join stablemates Will Take Charge (Classic) and Fast Bullet (Sprint) on the Tuesday flight.

As of Wednesday, those expected to be pre-entered on Monday for the Juvenile include Bond Holder, Cleburne, Dance With Fate, Diamond Bachelor, Havana, New Year’s Day, Strong Mandate, Tap It Rich, and We Miss Artie.

Mexikoma, a recent private purchase by Team Valor International off a 14 3/4-length maiden win at Delaware, worked five furlongs in 1:02.60 at Fair Hill on Wednesday.

Barry Irwin, president of Team Valor, said, “We’re tempted to run” in the Breeders’ Cup, but added, “I think we’re going to be conservative and go for the Nashua” at Aqueduct on Nov. 3.