Lukas takes a couple of stakes shots
BALTIMORE – D. Wayne Lukas, a six-time winner of the Preakness Stakes, rolled into Old Hilltop from Kentucky on Wednesday with a pair of horses in tow.
Lukas is tied with Bob Baffert as the second-winningest trainer in Preakness history. Only 19th-century horseman Robert Wyndham Walden, who won the race seven times between 1875 and 1888, has more Preakness wins.
Lukas, 81, won the Preakness in 2013 with Oxbow, in 1999 with Charismatic, in 1995 with Timber Country, in 1994 with Tabasco Cat, in 1985 with Tank’s Propsect, and in 1980 with Codex.
Lukas will run My Sweet Stella in the $100,000 Old Hilltop Stakes on Friday and Aquamarine in the $200,000 Chick Lang on Saturday.
Aquamarine, owned by Zayat Stables, was transferred from Baffert to Lukas in April. In his first start for Lukas, he won a first-level allowance at Keeneland.
The Lang is a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds.
“I think he’s pretty solid,” Lukas said. “He has tactical speed, and he’s training lights-out.”
Lukas said he believes Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming, trained by his former assistant Todd Pletcher, will win the middle jewel of the Triple Crown on Saturday.
“I think Todd has them right where he wants them,” Lukas said.