10/1/22
2 CD Lukas Classic (GII)
$400.000 3yo&Up 1 1/8m Dirt 3yo 121lbs Older 124lbs
Fall in Louisville brings back some great memories… and we look at the field for the Lukas Classic (GII) going a mile and an eighth of the famed CD main track. I’m looking for Gigabyte to relive his glory, as he returns to CD as the KYD (GI) winner. No wins since, but three thirds and a fifth while facing tough horses, I think the home-cooking is enough to get him another win. I’ll go to the outside and look for another 3yo to run big, and will put The Martian in the second spot. He looked good winning the BC Derby (GIII) and also has a few on-the-board finishes vs. big-time foes. Here, that could be enough.
Here’s The Field –
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Day Of Black | Night Rider Stables | Lezcano J | 124 | 10/1 |
Was rolling along with a nice string of solid races, including back to back wins then a fast closing fourth in the SD Hcp (GII) at DMR, but threw an absolute dud in the JC Gold Cup (GI) running dead-last and never getting in gear. Was it the infamous “bad break and you’re done”? I guess we find out.
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Champion In Action | Night Rider Stables | Zayas E J | 124 | 7/1 |
Second half of the NRS entry and he got back on track after a trio of poor starts, getting the runner-up spot (DH) in the Iselin (GIII) at MTH. He closed from well off of the pace that afternoon, so it will be interesting to see how he goes today.
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Pluckzy | Gdp Inc | Boulanger G | 121 | 10/1 |
A real wild card here, as he broke maiden and won the SA Derby (GI) back in the spring, then had mixed efforts this summer with a fourth (DH) in the Danday (GII) but only beat one horse in the PAC Classic (GI), so I’m just not sure where you put him in this one.
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That Funky Monkey | Threshold | Diaz Re | 124 | 8/1 |
Lightly raced this season with only three starts since the change in barns, where he won an Alw race, was fourth in the Ghostzapper (GIII) but only beat one horse in the O’Brien (GII) at DMR, last out. He’s another that makes you scratch your head.
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Whitsunday | Gdp Inc | Hernandez C J | 124 | 6/1 |
Another question mark as he has a pair of Alw wins this year, and was second in the Alydar at SAR, two starts back. Fourth in an Alw race at the Spa last out, and I would have thought he would be tougher in that one. Hmmm.
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Gigabyte | Smokey Stover | Corrales G | 121 | 7/2 |
No further pictures since winning the KYD (GI) back in May, but he’s been close in a number races, showing thirds in both the Dandy (GII) and the Travers (GI) in his last pair of starts… so, maybe coming back to CD is enough for him to get back to the winner’s circle.
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The Martian | Mo Mentum Farm | Prat F | 121 | 4/1 |
Got his first win of the ’22 season taking the BC Derby (GIII) at HST last out. He was fourth in the PRK (GI) and third in the FL Derby (GI) and Dwyer (GIII) (DH) so he certainly has run with good horses. Is he the hot one right now?
COZMAN 6 / 7 Willie’s Green Card 7 / 4
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
