10/6/2020

  4  BEL       The Champagne (GI) [BC] [KYD]

$375.000           2yo              1m  Dirt             119lbs

You can’t give ’em all away before the race.  Mb Stables takes another GI stakes as Smokin Luka proved that his poor performance in the Hopeful (GI) was a fluke and he closed fast to get home by a quarter length, taking the Champagne (GI) earning his first graded stakes victory, a trip to KEE for the BC and a trip to Louisville for the KYD… that, is a good Saturday!  The photo for second and the other minor money took the placing judge to task as Cheesy was second by a nose, Last City third by a nose, Jinxed Authority fourth by the same… then it went head, head, neck, neck… you get the idea, this was a blanket finish. 

Smokin Luka is a 2yo colt by Copper Bottom – Knockdown, by Commanding, and he was bred by Night Rider Stables in NY.  Sold prior to this race via Private Purchase for $475.000, this was his third win from six starts and takes his earnings to $406.200.  This one has a “back home” connection as Mb Stables bred the mare and sold her to the breeder… one big circle.  Congrat’s to all of the connections. 

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast                 Time: :23³  :47²  1:11   1:35²
$1 Exacta: 4 – 2 Paid 1,722.10       $1 Trifecta: 4 – 2 – 3 Paid 2,023.10
Scratched: Angelino, Catch Speedy, Ghost Command, Seattle Sloo

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES