Latest news with #AmericanPromise
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
D. Wayne Lukas death: Horse racing pays tribute to Hall of Fame trainer
FILE - Seize The Grey's trainer D. Wayne Lukas, left, shakes hands with with Bob Baffert, Imagination's trainer, after Lukas' horse won the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, May 18, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, file) FILE - American Promise trainer D. Wayne Lukas looks on prior to the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) FILE - Trainer D. Wayne Lukas sits atop his horse as he watches morning workouts against the backdrop of a large tent set up in the infield before sunrise at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, file) FILE - Trainer D. Wayne Lukas sits atop his horse as he watches morning workouts against the backdrop of a large tent set up in the infield before sunrise at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, file) FILE - Seize The Grey's trainer D. Wayne Lukas, left, shakes hands with with Bob Baffert, Imagination's trainer, after Lukas' horse won the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, May 18, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, file) FILE - American Promise trainer D. Wayne Lukas looks on prior to the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) FILE - Trainer D. Wayne Lukas sits atop his horse as he watches morning workouts against the backdrop of a large tent set up in the infield before sunrise at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, file) Notable reaction to the death of thoroughbred trainer D. Wayne Lukas: ___ 'To borrow from the great writer Joe Hirsch: There once was a trainer named D. Wayne Lukas, but only once.' — Larry Collmus, race caller for NBC's Triple Crown coverage, via X. Advertisement ___ 'Few people have left as profound a mark on the sport of horse racing as D. Wayne Lukas. Over nearly five decades, he shaped champions on the track and in the breeding shed — and mentored generations of horsemen and horsewomen who carry his legacy forward.' — Spendthrift Farm via X. ___ 'Growing up, D. Wayne Lukas was a towering figure. He owned the Triple Crown series and his '99 near-miss with Charismatic remains a cherished memory. Cheering him on as the years passed and he refused to quit and seemed instead to defy time has been a joy. RIP to a true legend.' — Steve Kornacki, NBC Sports contributor, via X. Advertisement ___ "It is hard to imagine Thoroughbred racing without the presence of D. Wayne Lukas. His passion for the sport was unparalleled, and his legacy will live on in the Champions he trained and the numerous men and women he mentored along the way. His horsemanship reshaped the sport, and his impact will be felt for generations to come. If there's a Mount Rushmore of horse trainers, D. Wayne Lukas is on it.' — National Thoroughbred Racing Association in a statement. ___ 'Not only did Wayne leave his mark on the Breeders' Cup and the sport of Thoroughbred racing with his innovative training approach, but his legacy continues through the many horsemen who came up under his astute guidance before finding tremendous success on their own. The dedication, discipline, passion, and insight with which he ran his operation will serve as an inspiration for many generations.' — Breeders' Cup Ltd. via X. Advertisement ___ 'A truly transformational figure, it is fitting that Wayne's fulltime foray into Thoroughbred racing began in 1977 with a Santa Anita Park winner named Current Concept, as his successful training concept set a course for generations of horsemen and women who sprouted from the Lukas training tree. His on-track success was such that it was easy to overlook his outstanding horsemanship that we were lucky to often witness back at his barn, away from the spotlight.' — Santa Anita Park in a statement. ___ AP horse racing:
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
D. Wayne Lukas death: Horse racing pays tribute to Hall of Fame trainer
FILE - Seize The Grey's trainer D. Wayne Lukas, left, shakes hands with with Bob Baffert, Imagination's trainer, after Lukas' horse won the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, May 18, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, file) FILE - American Promise trainer D. Wayne Lukas looks on prior to the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) FILE - Trainer D. Wayne Lukas sits atop his horse as he watches morning workouts against the backdrop of a large tent set up in the infield before sunrise at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, file) FILE - Trainer D. Wayne Lukas sits atop his horse as he watches morning workouts against the backdrop of a large tent set up in the infield before sunrise at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, file) FILE - Seize The Grey's trainer D. Wayne Lukas, left, shakes hands with with Bob Baffert, Imagination's trainer, after Lukas' horse won the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, May 18, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, file) FILE - American Promise trainer D. Wayne Lukas looks on prior to the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) FILE - Trainer D. Wayne Lukas sits atop his horse as he watches morning workouts against the backdrop of a large tent set up in the infield before sunrise at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, file) Notable reaction to the death of thoroughbred trainer D. Wayne Lukas: ___ 'To borrow from the great writer Joe Hirsch: There once was a trainer named D. Wayne Lukas, but only once.' — Larry Collmus, race caller for NBC's Triple Crown coverage, via X. Advertisement ___ 'Few people have left as profound a mark on the sport of horse racing as D. Wayne Lukas. Over nearly five decades, he shaped champions on the track and in the breeding shed — and mentored generations of horsemen and horsewomen who carry his legacy forward.' — Spendthrift Farm via X. ___ 'Growing up, D. Wayne Lukas was a towering figure. He owned the Triple Crown series and his '99 near-miss with Charismatic remains a cherished memory. Cheering him on as the years passed and he refused to quit and seemed instead to defy time has been a joy. RIP to a true legend.' — Steve Kornacki, NBC Sports contributor, via X. Advertisement ___ "It is hard to imagine Thoroughbred racing without the presence of D. Wayne Lukas. His passion for the sport was unparalleled, and his legacy will live on in the Champions he trained and the numerous men and women he mentored along the way. His horsemanship reshaped the sport, and his impact will be felt for generations to come. If there's a Mount Rushmore of horse trainers, D. Wayne Lukas is on it.' — National Thoroughbred Racing Association in a statement. ___ 'Not only did Wayne leave his mark on the Breeders' Cup and the sport of Thoroughbred racing with his innovative training approach, but his legacy continues through the many horsemen who came up under his astute guidance before finding tremendous success on their own. The dedication, discipline, passion, and insight with which he ran his operation will serve as an inspiration for many generations.' — Breeders' Cup Ltd. via X. Advertisement ___ 'A truly transformational figure, it is fitting that Wayne's fulltime foray into Thoroughbred racing began in 1977 with a Santa Anita Park winner named Current Concept, as his successful training concept set a course for generations of horsemen and women who sprouted from the Lukas training tree. His on-track success was such that it was easy to overlook his outstanding horsemanship that we were lucky to often witness back at his barn, away from the spotlight.' — Santa Anita Park in a statement. ___ AP horse racing:
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas has been hospitalized and will not return to training, family says
FILE - Trainer D. Wayne Lukas rides atop a horse during morning workouts ahead of the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, May 13, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File) FILE - Trainer D. Wayne Lukas talks to media after arriving at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, with Preakness Stakes entrant American Promise, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File) FILE - Trainer D. Wayne Lukas talks to media after arriving at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, with Preakness Stakes entrant American Promise, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File) FILE - Trainer D. Wayne Lukas rides atop a horse during morning workouts ahead of the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, May 13, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File) FILE - Trainer D. Wayne Lukas talks to media after arriving at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, with Preakness Stakes entrant American Promise, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File) LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Hall of Fame horse racing trainer D. Wayne Lukas has been hospitalized and will not return to training, Churchill Downs announced Sunday after speaking with members of his family. Lukas' family said the 89-year-old has battled a severe infection that has worsened and that he has declined an aggressive treatment plan to instead return home. His horses have been transferred to assistant trainer Sebastian 'Bas" Nicholl. Advertisement 'Wayne built a legacy that will never be matched,' Nicholl said. 'Every decision I make, every horse I saddle, I'll hear his voice in the back of my mind. This isn't about filling his shoes — no one can. It's about honoring everything that he's built.' Lukas is one of the most accomplished people in the history of the sport. His 15 Triple Crown victories are second only to good friend Bob Baffert, and Lukas has a record-tying 20 in the Breeders Cup. He won the Kentucky Derby four times since 1988. His most recent victory in the Triple Crown came last year with Seize the Grey in the Preakness, his seventh — one short of Baffert's record. 'Wayne is one of the greatest competitors and most important figures in Thoroughbred racing history,' Churchill Downs president Mike Anderson said. 'He transcended the sport of horse racing and took the industry to new levels. The lasting impact of his character and wisdom, from his acute horsemanship to his unmatched attention to detail, will be truly missed. The enormity of this news is immense, and our prayers are with his family and friends around the world during this difficult time.' ___ AP horse racing:
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
No Saratoga Summer For D. Wayne Lukas; High Costs Keep Trainer In Kentucky
No Saratoga Summer For D. Wayne Lukas; High Costs Keep Trainer In Kentucky originally appeared on Paulick Report. Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas will not keep a string of horses stabled at Saratoga this summer, reports Instead, Lukas will maintain his Kentucky bases at Churchill Downs and Ellis Park. "If we get a colt that looks like he can run or something, we'll send him up there," Lukas told "We're going for just stakes. If we fit a race, we'll ship them up, but we're not going to stable there." Advertisement Lukas' reasoning for the decision was simple: high costs in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The trainer estimates that it cost $30,000 just to house himself and his staff for the summer. Most trainers charge their owners a day rate which covers day-to-day costs like feed and payroll, but they rely on a portion of purse earnings to turn a profit. In 2024, Lukas' trainees earned a total of $315,525 at Saratoga, winning two races form 33 starts; of that total, a trainer typically earns 10 percent, or $31,525. Thus, after starting out the meet with a $30,000 deficit for housing costs, Lukas said he finished last year's Saratoga summer season in the red. "You've got to win a couple Grade 1s or one of those major races to break even from a trainer standpoint," Lukas told Regarding his current 3-year-old stable star, American Promise, Lukas could be targeting a ship north for the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on July 26. Read more at This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.


Fox Sports
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Hall of Famers Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas watch horses get troubled trips in the Preakness
Associated Press AP Sports Writer (AP) — Hall of Fame trainers Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas saw their horses endure some troubled trips Saturday in the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes. Baffert's Goal Oriented finished fourth after bumping with winner Journalism down the stretch. A stewards inquiry was briefly posted to take a look at the contact, and then it was removed with no changes. American Promise was eighth in a field of nine after going through similar struggles two weeks earlier in the Kentucky Derby led to finishing 16th. Baffert and Lukas, who have combined to win the second leg of the Triple Crown, each lamented not getting what they hoped for from their colts in the Preakness. 'He didn't get to run his race,' Baffert said. 'I wanted to see him on the lead, Maybe he would have stopped, I don't know. He is lightly raced. He ran well, but he is still green. He was not used to being behind horses and he got intimidated.' American Promise's jockey, Maryland native Nik Juarez, said the horse 'just didn't have it.' 'When he got bumped and roughed up a little bit, he kind of threw his head and quit on us,' Lukas said. "I didn't like the way he responded. ... I just think that attitude-wise, we've got to change it a little bit.' Gosger surprises Irish trainer Brendan Walsh's Gosger went off at odds of 15-1, third-longest in the Preakness. He also was poised to pulled a big upset if not for Journalism's remarkable run from the middle of the pack to the finish line. 'I thought we were home when he opened up,' Walsh said. 'I'm disappointed not to win it, but I'm not disappointed in the horse. He ran a great race. He is an improving horse and he will improve off this.' Jockey Luis Saez said they 'had no excuses' and hopes Gosger will learn from the experience. 'Luis said at the end he just got a little bit lackadaisical, and he was out on his own maybe a little too long and the other horse came by and flew by him,' Walsh said. 'Maybe we will get our turn the next time.' Malcolm celebrates the 'Middle' NBC Sports' leadup to the race included an introduction from actor Frankie Muniz, known for his childhood role on the show 'Malcolm in the Middle.' Muniz espoused the virtues of the Preakness as the middle jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown, which for the fifth time in seven years went off without a shot at a Triple Crown for various reasons. 'People don't talk about the middle enough,' Muniz said, bringing up middle seats on planes, the middle ages and how nobody wants to peak in middle school. 'When you're in the middle, you've got to fight for attention." The attention was on Pimlico Race Course, hosting the Preakness for a final time before the structure that opened in 1870 is demolished and rebuilt. 'Beginnings and endings get all the credit, but life happens in the middle on a journey from here to there," Muniz said. 'That's where you prove what you're really made of. On a day like today, at this ancient racetrack all dressed up one more time, there's absolutely no place better to be than the middle.' ___ AP horse racing: in this topic