Lukas Classic (Grade 2)- $500.000 Purse
CD- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
September 30, 2023

Individuation was the big name at the Grade 2 Lukas Classic at CD on Saturday, headlining the field of six and seeming to be the one to beat. In the end, there would not be any surprises as Individuation did indeed win the race. However, it did not come easy at all, as the reigning BC Classic champion found himself involved in a three-way photo at the wire. He would prevail for his eleventh win and win consecutive victories in this and the Pacific Classic right before it, we can expect him to have a strong shot to defend his BC title next month. For now, his trainer, Mb Stables, will celebrate his fourth win in the Lukas Classic, and jockey U Rispoli is a first-time winner. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:47.32, and that is a new stake record! Each of the top three finishers beat the old stake record. Let’s take a look at it now!

(1/2 Mile- :46.89)- Dorian Gray is the quickest out of the starting gate, and the Night Rider Stables entry will hold a length lead over a pair of stalkers. Seydoux II holds a slight advantage for second for Arindel, and the horse that runs with him is the eventual winner, our pick to win, and the post time favorite, Individuation, from Mb Stables. He holds the rail and has a gap of around three lengths to the fourth-place runner, Gdp Inc’s Crack Dab. It’s another length and a half to Ginger Clean (The Sidley Stud), and trailing is Mohegan Smoke (Asgar).

(3/4 Mile- 1:11.04)- Dorian Gray continues to be the race leader as the backstretch portion of the race leads into the final turn, but he has some company beginning to join him as Seydoux II creeps closer to his outside. Individuation remains in the third position and is directly between Dorian Gray as he looks for his time to pounce. Crack Dab cut into the big gap somewhat and leads Ginger Clean and Mohegan Smoke.

(Top of Stretch, 1.8F To Go)- Soon in the turn, Seydoux II takes over the lead from Dorian Gray and will clear him by a length entering the stretch. Meanwhile, Individuation needed to come off the rail and is now running in third lane as he is even with Dorian Gray and can prepare to pass Seydoux II on the outside. Crack Dab was getting a little closer, and Ginger Clean was starting to look interesting. Mohegan Smoke, however, continued to trail.

(Finish- 1:47.32)- In the stretch, Seydoux II was looking good, and while Individuation was making slight progress, Seydoux II seemed game to this challenge. Ginger Clean was coming on strong from behind, likely taking lessons from stablemate Spankersville, who won the Woodward earlier in the day. Approaching the wire, Individuation pulled even with Seydoux II, but now Ginger Clean was right in the thick of it. As they hit the wire, it looked like it was Individuation, but stewards would look at the photo just to be certain of it. Indeed, Individuation got there first, with Ginger Clean getting the head bob on Seydoux II for second. Crack Dab takes fourth, ahead of Mohegan Smoke and Dorian Gray.

About The Winner- Individuation, trained by Mb Stables and ridden to victory by U Rispoli, is a four-year-old gelding by Jung is out of Dawning Earl Grey. He was bred in Florida by Patterson Stables as a first quarter two-year-old and was acquired by Mb Stables in a December 2021 private sale for $300.000. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his eleventh in 20 starts and his eighth stake win, all of which are graded. His career earnings are now $7,965.460.

Track: Fast
Time: :46⁴  1:11   1:35¹  1:47¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 5 Paid 11.90
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 5 – 3 Paid 23.10

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES