Churchill stakes lose leading runners

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – No Omaha Beach for the Ack Ack, and no Seeking the Soul for the Lukas Classic.

Still, the show will go on and the lights will shine bright at Churchill Downs when the final Downs After Dark card of 2019 is held Saturday night amid what is expected to be brilliant early autumn weather.

Omaha Beach, who was withdrawn by trainer Richard Mandella following an unsatisfactory breeze Friday at his Santa Anita base, would have been a big favorite in the Grade 3, $150,000 Ack Ack. Instead, Air Strike and Mr. Jagermeister appear to be the top contenders in a one-mile race also expected to get Mr Darcy, Thirstforlife, and surely a few more older horses when entries were drawn Wednesday.

The absence of Seeking the Soul, sent last week from his Churchill base to Santa Anita for the Awesome Again on Saturday, leaves a wide-open lineup for the Grade 3, $250,000 Lukas Classic. Likely favorites for the 1 1/8-mile race are Quip, Silver Dust, and Pioneer Spirit.

A sizable field of 3-year-olds is expected for a third stakes, the $125,000 Jefferson Cup going 1 1/8 miles on turf.