Mylute needs to stay closer to front in Lukas Classic
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – No one would begrudge Todd Pletcher if he were to win the first-ever Lukas Classic with Mylute, given his close association with his former boss, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
But racing doesn’t always follow the warm-and-fuzzy script. Lukas most likely won’t be on hand Saturday at Churchill Downs for the race named in his honor, as he is recovering from heart surgery, and Mylute is no shoo-in – even with the red-hot Florent Geroux taking the mount.
Owned by GoldMark Farm and Whisper Hill Farm, Mylute has been competitive at loftier levels while compiling the highest Beyer Speed Figures in a field of eight older horses entered in the $175,000 Lukas Classic, a 1 1/8-mile race that highlights an 11-race Saturday card. He will be ridden for the first time by Geroux, the French jockey who has enjoyed a remarkable last six weeks in winning stakes at Arlington, Canterbury, Kentucky Downs, Woodbine, and Parx.
Departing, whose $1.7 million-plus bankroll is the biggest in the field, is the logical second choice to Mylute as these 5-year-olds clash for the fourth time (2013 Louisiana Derby, 2013 Preakness, 2014 Stephen Foster). Other starters who figure to draw play here include Abraham, Ulanbator, and Irish You Well.
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The Lukas Classic was inaugurated two years ago as the Homecoming Classic when Churchill agreed to take over the September race dates from Turfway Park. The first two winners were Fort Larned (2013) and Cigar Street (2014).
First post Saturday is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the ungraded Lukas Classic scheduled for 5:20 as the 10th race. Two Grade 3, $100,000 stakes directly precede it: the Ack Ack (race 8) and Jefferson Cup (race 9). The forecast calls for a possibility of early-morning showers but otherwise another warm day. Closing day for the 11-day meet is Sunday.
KEY CONTENDERS
Mylute (Last 3 Beyers: 99-98-75)
◗ Gray horse with nearly $800,000 in career earnings might be vulnerable in a race lacking early speed, given his penchant for dropping back, but surely Geroux will be conscious of that. Assuming he can stay within striking distance, his late kick could overcome all.
Departing (Last 3 Beyers: 86-75-89)
◗ Claiborne/Dilschneider homebred continues to try to find a niche and some consistency. His best races came as a 3-year-old, when he won three derbies (Illinois, West Virginia, Super), all of them at two turns on dirt.
Ulanbator (Last 3 Beyers: 89-84-93)
◗ Useful 4-year-old has never been worse than third in his five starts over his home track here at Churchill and comes in fresh off a stakes victory over Geothermal on the July 18 Indiana Derby undercard.
◗ Trainer Ian Wilkes and jockey Julien Leparoux are scoring at a 30 percent rate when teamed together.
Abraham (Last 3 Beyers: 83-91-84)
◗ Recent $50,000 claim has speed and might actually match up well on his best effort, and “the mile and an eighth should be his best distance,” said trainer Joe Sharp.
“I like his chances,” Sharp said. “Hopefully, we can get lucky.”