Lukas Classic: Art Collector, Hot Rod Charlie should control pace

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Art Collector and Hot Rod Charlie are the deserving favorites, but it’s Rich Strike that gives the Grade 2 Lukas Classic a little extra.

Aside from owning an apparent edge in ability, both Art Collector and Hot Rod Charlie also figure to benefit from a favorable pace scenario as the 1 1/8-mile Lukas Classic unfolds Saturday at Churchill Downs. Nonetheless, it’s the presence of a Kentucky Derby winner, Rich Strike, that lends a special touch to an afternoon meant – for some, anyway – as a send-off to the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland.

“This is my happy place, his happy place,” trainer Eric Reed said of Rich Strike, the only 3-year-old in a field of six in the $500,000 Lukas Classic. “Being back where we won the Derby will always be an unbelievable feeling.”

Rich Strike won’t be 80-1 like he was in posting his historic Derby upset here May 7, but he’ll still be an outsider. Art Collector, with Luis Saez riding from post 2, sure looks like the lone speed, while Hot Rod Charlie (post 5, Tyler Gaffalione) should be sitting a sweet second. The rest of them, including Happy Saver (post 3, John Velazquez) and Rich Strike (post 4, Sonny Leon), could have a tough time catching up.

Hot Rod Charlie, as a highly accomplished earner of more than $5.25 million, has spent most of the last three months in the relative quiet of Keeneland, where the 4-year-old son of Oxbow has been on a steady work schedule.

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“It seems like everything we’ve talked about in terms of planning and preparation have come together really well,” said Doug O’Neill, who trains the handy colt for a four-way partnership. “We’re excited for Saturday to get here.”

O’Neill, a two-time Derby-winning trainer, said early this week from his California base that he intended to be on hand for the race. As to whether he’ll instruct Gaffalione to keep Art Collector close at hand, O’Neill said he will “probably just give him a leg up and wish him luck. Tyler has come to Keeneland two or three times to work the horse and has gotten to know him. Hopefully [Hot Rod Charlie] is good enough to stay up close and go on and do his thing.”

Assuming a solid effort, Hot Rod Charlie will return to Keeneland to prepare for the BC Classic. The Breeders’ Cup also is a logical next step for Art Collector, the 5-year-old horse who has earned more than $2.3 million for owner-breeder Bruce Lunsford, but the Dirt Mile might be a more practical alternative to the Classic, depending on how both races shape up.

“That’ll be up to Bill,” said Lunsford, referring to trainer Bill Mott.

Happy Saver is pointing to the Classic, according to trainer Todd Pletcher, as the final race in a career that has seen the 5-year-old horse finish second in each of his last five starts, including the Met Mile behind Flightline and the Whitney being stablemate Life Is Good.

“He’s been remarkably consistent,” said Pletcher. “He shows up and runs hard every time.”

Meanwhile, Rich Strike will be looking to build on a decent fourth-place finish in the Aug. 27 Travers, his second post-Derby start. Owned by the RED-TR Racing of Rick Dawson, the shiny chestnut colt arrived here Monday from Reed’s Lexington base and was scheduled to paddock-school before the second race on the twilight Thursday card at Churchill.

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“I’m happy with everything he’s been doing into this,” said Reed. “He’s trained really sharp. We’ve got some top older horses to try to overcome, but I feel like he’s up to it. I feel like he’s going to show up and run really good.”

Reed is using the Lukas to determine whether to try the Classic or just wait for the Nov. 25 Clark at Churchill.

Rich Strike is the sixth horse in the last 25 years to race at Churchill after a Derby victory, following Silver Charm, Giacomo, Mine That Bird, Always Dreaming, and Mandaloun. He’ll try to become the first to win back since Silver Charm captured the 1998 Clark Handicap more than 18 months after winning the 1997 Derby.

Bookending the Lukas field are late-running longshots King Fury (post 1, Brian Hernandez Jr.) and Chess Chief (post 6, Reylu Gutierrez).

This is the ninth running of the Lukas, which honors the still-active, 87-year-old Hall of Fame trainer expected to be on hand to present the winner’s trophy. It’s the highlight of an 11-race Saturday program that also includes the Grade 3 Ack Ack, a Win and You’re In toward the Nov. 5 BC Dirt Mile.

First post is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the Lukas (race 10, 5:26) directly following the Ack Ack (race 9, 4:55) on an excellent card that also includes three allowances and three maiden-specials. All purses include substantial bonuses restricted to registered Kentucky-breds.

Mostly sunny skies and a high of 73 are in the Saturday forecast. Sunday is closing day at a 14-day, dirt-only September meet that began Sept. 15, with all wagering pools subject to a mandatory disbursement. Keeneland starts its 17-day fall meet Friday (Oct. 7).

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