After three “Best Man” efforts against Graded company in the past three seasons, Nakamura Stables four year old bay gelding Eclipse My Knowledge finally got his just rewards here at Churchill Downs, capturing the Grade III Lucas Classic by a very nice three length margin. The jubilation on his trainer’s face in the winners circle was obvious to everyone at the track, and congratulations were expressed by his fellow trainers as well.
Three starts ago, Eclipse My Knowledge would get caught up with a rabbit in the Forbidden Apple Stakes who was posting some early quarters of 22 flat and 44 and three, that one having to break from the eleven post to get to the rail early. As for Eclipse, he would eventually fade in the latter stages to place last, some sixteen lengths back. Now while most trainers would have thought it may be time to hang up his riding equipment, Nak decided to do a rethink. Left the turf for the main track at DMR, and entered the lesser $85 Brubaker Stakes there taking home the win. While Eclipse My Knowledge would go off at 16-1 odds come post time, his trainer went with his gut for this event, and the results paid off with patience and dedication. Interesting to note, Santana was the rider aboard the rabbit that day at Saratoga on the grass, so its kind of a twist of fate with the victory here on Saturday. His final time of 1:47.74 was just six one hundreds of a second slower then the event record set two seasons ago, and this is this trainers second Lucas Classic win, capturing it back in 2014 with Third Rock. Congrates Nak on a job well done!!
Two to one shot State Police ( Smokey Stover ) would narrowly take the place purse in a photo finish with Maxmillion Farm’s Xmas Snow. Xmas Snow sat in a stalk position throughout this event until State Police put in his late run effort to get up just in the nick of time. The question for State Police is just how much longer will he try as a five year old to regain a victory, or will his Cherokee Sunset bloodline be put to use in the breeding barns? As for Xmas Snow, the show placing might have been a bit disappointing, and his one win in seven starts this season not the greatest, but hats off to the trio on the front end showing that older horses can compete with the recent sophomore phenoms of the year!
Fourth on back would be Mb Stables No Doubting You ( 13-1 ) who outdid his entry mate on the tote board. Has been a force early on in most of his events and may find a drop back to the seven eights or a mile a better fit. Fifth through seventh all separated by a mere whisker from each other would be Royal Eclipse ( Chili King Stables ) , K T Warrior ( Maxmillion Farm ) and post time favorite Glitter Deity. All three pretty much held their positions throughout this event. The final runner would be Diablo Diablo’s Crush Spebrate, who backers thought would have a better showing. May see him back on the sod for his next affair.
Duffer
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
