Mind Your Biscuits a commanding winner in Lukas Classic

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Mind Your Biscuits won as he was supposed to. Still, trainer Chad Summers wasn’t about to commit to any particular Breeders’ Cup race.

“We’ve got a lot of decisions to make,” said Summers.

Mind Your Biscuits, the solid favorite in a field of eight older horses, was a convincing winner of the Grade 3, $200,000 Lukas Classic on Saturday night under the Churchill Downs lights. After stalking the early pace in the 1 1/8-mile race under Tyler Gaffalione, the 5-year-old horse drew clear down the stretch, finishing 4 3/4 lengths ahead of Toast of New York.

The victory reaffirmed the status of Mind Your Biscuits as one of the top older horses in training in North America, although Summers and his clients will now have to decide which Breeders’ Cup race will be next: the Classic, Dirt Mile, or Sprint, all to be run here Nov. 3.

“We’ll go over everything involved,” said Summers. “The good thing is he showed none of these longer races he’s run in have been flukes. He’s just a great horse and we’re so blessed to have him.”

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Gaffalione had ridden Mind Your Biscuits in workouts, including the horse’s latest breeze here Sept. 21, but never in a race.

“Chad and his team had him completely ready today,” said Gaffalione. “I just had to hang on. He settled nicely, and then when I asked him to run, he just took off. He’s just a really good horse – definitely the best horse I’ve ever ridden.”

Over a fast track, and before 16,126 revelers who turned out in perfect early autumn weather, Flowers for Lisa set fractions of 23.73 and 48.09 before Mind Your Biscuits began edging closer in the final turn. After six furlongs in 1:12.27, Gaffalione put his mount to work, and the issue was quickly decided, with Mind Your Biscuits stopping the timer in 1:48.64. He returned $4.60 for his eighth victory from 24 starts, with the $120,280 winner’s share lifting his career bankroll to $4,279,566, furthering his record among New York-breds. He is owned by a partnership that includes Shadai Farm, J Stables, Head of Plains Partners, and Michael Kisber, as well as Summers and his father, M. Scott, and brother, Dan.

Toast of New York, the 2014 BC Classic runner-up who was making his first start in seven months and first since being gelded, outkicked Honorable Duty to get second by a head. Flowers for Lisa faded to fourth, another 1 3/4 lengths back.

Jamie Osborne, trainer of Toast of New York, said the 7-year-old gelding definitely will stick around with the intent of running back in the BC Classic. “It looks like he might have been a bit rusty, but yeah, yeah, it was a good run for him,” he said.

The Lukas Classic was the highlight of the final Downs After Dark card of the year at Churchill.

The $2 exacta (6-4) paid $50.80, the $1 trifecta (6-4-1) returned $79.10, and the 10-cent superfecta (6-4-1-5) was worth $50.14.

► Directly following the Lukas Classic, Quick Sand Aa was a romping winner of the Grade 1, $100,000 President of the United Arab Emirates Cup, marking his fourth Grade 1 among Arabians this year. The 5-year-old horse returned $5.60 as favorite in a field of nine.

Sasha Risenhoover was aboard Quick Sand Aa for owners Betty and Joseph Gillis and trainer Jerenesto Torrez. Madjikman was second and Easter Man was third.

► Sunday is closing day of the 11-day September meet, with the Kentucky circuit going dark for four days before Keeneland opens its 17-day fall meet Friday. All pools will be subject to mandatory payouts, including the Single 6 (races 5-10).