Lukas Classic highlights Saturday card

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Downs After Dark card will put an exclamation point on the 11-day September meet at Churchill Downs when four stakes, led by the Grade 3, $200,000 Lukas Classic, are run Saturday night under the lights.

Mind Your Biscuits and the 2017 Lukas winner, Honorable Duty, are among the older horses expected when entries for the 11-race card are drawn Wednesday. Other probables for the 1 1/8-mile race include Flowers for Lisa, Rated R Superstar, Securitiz, and Toast of New York.

The Lukas will share the spotlight with the Grade 3, $100,000 Ack Ack, a one-turn mile that could produce a starter or two for the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Those likely starters include Awesome Slew, C Z Rocket, Seeking the Soul, and Warrior’s Club.

Also on tap for a card, which starts at 6 p.m. Eastern, are the $100,000 Jefferson Cup for 3-year-old turf horses and the Grade 1 President of the United Arab Emirates for Arabians. TVG, which last week began showing Churchill races on its flagship station, will provide coverage.

After heavy rain last weekend and early this week, perfect autumn weather is forecast for the final four days of the meet, starting Thursday. Closing day is Sunday, with Keeneland starting its 17-day meet Oct. 5.

Many fans here Saturday night will be coming straight from nearby Cardinal Stadium, where Louisville hosts Florida State in a 12:30 college football game.