Busy month on tap for Lukas

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas will not be slowing down with the close of the calendar year. He swept into Vinton last Saturday and won the Grade 3, $400,000 Delta Downs Princess with Take Charge Brandi and missed by a nose with Mr. Z in the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot.

Lukas said Sunday he’s heading to the National Finals Rodeo that starts Dec. 4 in Las Vegas. He is appearing there as a spokesman for some equine products. On Dec. 8, Lukas will be the keynote speaker at a Dallas conference bringing together all the judges for the American Quarter Horse Association.

The first part of December also will see Lukas moving horses into Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. He said he will have a 40-horse stable at the meet that opens Jan. 9.

Later in December, the trainer could start Take Charge Brandi and Mr. Z in Grade 1 stakes at Los Alamitos in California.