Track Mate heads into Grade 1 company for Churchill Downs

Track Mate will get a chance at Grade 1 company after winning back-to-back allowances in his last two starts at Oaklawn. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Monday that Track Mate is being pointed for the Grade 1, $1 million Churchill Downs at seven furlongs May 4.

Track Mate popped a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 100 for a two-other-than allowance win at six furlongs April 5. The Calumet Farm homebred is a son of Union Rags and from the female family of War Front.

“I thought he ran terrific,” Lukas said. “He’s one of the best-looking horses we’ve got. I want to ride him for a pony!”

Lukas likes the added ground offered by the Churchill Downs.

“I think that’s right in his wheelhouse,” he said. “It will be an eighth of a mile longer than the pure sprinters and I think it will help him a little bit.”

Lukas said Bourbon Bash, who won a recent Oaklawn allowance sprint with a Beyer of 92, will likely make his next start in the $200,000 St. Matthews Overnight for 4-year-olds and up at six furlongs May 2 at Churchill.

Bourbon Bash shares common ownership with Kentucky Derby probable Just Steel, who is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs on Monday. Just Steel was scheduled to have worked Thursday at Oaklawn.

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