Over a decade removed from his last Kentucky Derby win, D. Wayne
Lukas is quietly optimistic about his chances for another.
Dublin, Lukas top Derby contender, will run in the Arkansas
Derby on Saturday at Oaklawn Park. The chestnut colt is without a
win since September, but after finishing second in the Southwest
and third in the Rebel, he figures to remain on the Kentucky Derby
trail with or without a victory this weekend.
“Our goal is not Saturday. Were looking beyond that, said
Lukas, the Hall of Fame trainer. “Dont get me wrong, were going
to try to win the race, but our major goal is the one that really
counts.
Lukas has won the Kentucky Derby four times, but not since
Charismatics victory back in 1999. Its been a while since he
saddled a major contender, but Dublin came on the scene
impressively with two straight wins last year, including a triumph
in the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga.
Dublin (7-2) is one of three main contenders in the Arkansas
Derby. Super Saver (9-5) is the morning-line favorite, and Nobles
Promise (2-1) is also in the mix after finishing a close second in
the Rebel.
Super Saver, with jockey Calvin Borel aboard, drew the No. 1
post. Dublin and Nobles Promise will start immediately to his
outside in the 1 1-8-mile race.
“He doesnt have to be on the lead. Hell be there if I want,
Borel said. “Well just see what happens when the gates break.
Hes a nice colt. Dont underestimate him.
There are nine horses entered in the race.
Super Saver set a stakes record in last years Kentucky Jockey
Club Stakes at Churchill Downs, but hes raced only once in 2010,
finishing third in the Tampa Bay Derby. The Todd Pletcher-trained
colt is 25th on the graded stakes earnings list, meaning hes by no
means assured of a spot yet in the May 1 Derby.
Nobles Promise, trained by Kenny McPeek, is also trying for his
first win this year. He won the Breeders Futurity in October, and
he began his 2010 campaign by finishing second in the Rebel to
Lookin At Lucky, another top Derby contender. Lookin At Lucky is
bypassing the Arkansas Derby after racing in last weekends Santa
Anita Derby.
Dublin was 3 lengths behind Nobles Promise in the Rebel.
“I thought his race last time was respectable. Hes going to
have to run better to beat us, and we think well improve a little
bit, so well see, McPeek said.
Although Dublin hasnt won in a while, Lukas appears confident
his horse has a big race in him – and hes hoping it will happen in
May at Churchill Downs. Sire Afleet Alex won the Arkansas Derby by
a then-record 8 lengths in 2005, then went on to take the Preakness
and Belmont.
Afleet Alex is one of several Arkansas Derby entries in recent
years that went on to bigger and better things. Smarty Jones swept
Oaklawns entire prep series – the Southwest, Rebel and Arkansas
Derby – in 2004 before winning the first two legs of the Triple
Crown. In 2007, Curlin broke Afleet Alexs record with a 10
1/2-length victory in the Arkansas Derby, then later took the
Preakness as well.
Last year, Summer Bird was third in the Arkansas Derby then
quickly blossomed, winning the Belmont en route to honors as the
years top 3-year-old colt.
Lukas hasnt won the Arkansas Derby since 1985, but its safe to
say he isnt worried about that. Its the Kentucky Derby drought
hed like to end.
“I think Im in a great spot to win it. I like my horse, I like
where Im at, he said. “In all my wins, the four that did win
it, I never did make a lot of noise until the day.