Lukas Classic Stakes
| Grade II race | |
| Location | Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, USA |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 2013 (as Homecoming Classic Stakes) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing - Dirt |
| Website | Churchill Downs |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-Year-Olds and older |
| Weight | Base weights with allowances: 4-year-olds and up: 125 lbs. 3-year-olds: 122 lbs. |
| Purse | $500,000 (2022) |
The Lukas Classic Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three years old and older, over a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles on the dirt held annually in September at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. The event currently carries a purse of $500,000.
History
The race was inaugurated in 2013, as the Homecoming Classic Stakes with a stakes purse of $175,000.[1]
In 2015 the event was renamed to the Lukas Classic Stakes after U.S. Racing Hall of Fame horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Churchill Downs administration indicated that the change of name to Lukas Classic was "to salute Lukas' accomplishments, contributions and influence on Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, and the horse industry."[2] Lukas has won the Kentucky Derby and the Oaks four times apiece.[2]
Previously a Listed race, it was upgraded to Grade III status for 2017 by the American Graded Stakes Committee.[3]
In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Churchill Downs did not schedule the event in their updated meeting.[1]
In 2022 the American Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the event to Grade II.[4]
Records
Speed record:
- 1:47.85 – Knicks Go (2021)
Margins:
- 4+3⁄4 lengths – Mind Your Biscuits (2017) & Honorable Duty (2018)
Most wins
- No horse has won this race more than once.
Most wins by a jockey
- 2 – Tyler Gaffalione (2018, 2022)
Most wins by a trainer
- 2 – Chad Summers (2018, 2023)
- 2 – Brad H. Cox (2021, 2024)
Most wins by an owner
- No owner has won this race more than once.
Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lukas Classic Stakes | |||||||||
| 2024 | Hit Show | 4 | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Wathnan Racing | 1:50.44 | $500,000 | II | [5] |
| 2023 | Clapton | 4 | Cristian Torres | Chad Summers | RRR Racing | 1:48.79 | $438,660 | II | [6] |
| 2022 | Hot Rod Charlie | 4 | Tyler Gaffalione | Doug O'Neill | Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, William Strauss, & Gainesway Farm | 1:49.77 | $498,000 | II | [7] |
| 2021 | Knicks Go | 5 | Joel Rosario | Brad H. Cox | Korea Racing Authority | 1:47.85 | $400,000 | III | [8] |
| 2020 | Race not held | ||||||||
| 2019 | Mocito Rojo | 5 | Gerard Melancon | Shane Wilson | Wayne T. Davis | 1:48.91 | $250,000 | III | [9] |
| 2018 | Mind Your Biscuits | 5 | Tyler Gaffalione | Chad Summers | Shadai Farm, J Stables, Head of Plains Part.,M.S., D., C. Summers, M. Kisber | 1:48.64 | $200,000 | III | [10] |
| 2017 | Honorable Duty | 5 | Corey J. Lanerie | Brendan P. Walsh | DARRS | 1:49.42 | $300,000 | III | [11] |
| 2016 | Noble Bird | 5 | Julien R. Leparoux | Mark E. Casse | John C. Oxley | 1:49.03 | $175,000 | Listed | [12] |
| 2015 | Geothermal | 6 | Robby Albarado | Steve Margolis | A. L. Luedtke | 1:49.93 | $175,000 | Listed | [13] |
| Homecoming Classic Stakes | |||||||||
| 2014 | Cigar Street | 5 | Shaun Bridgmohan | William I. Mott | J. Ballis & R. Lewis | 1:49.87 | $135,000 | [14] | |
| 2013 | Fort Larned | 5 | Brian J. Hernandez, Jr. | Ian R. Wilkes | Janice R. Whitham | 1:48.58 | $191,275 | [15] | |
See also
References
- ^ a b "Lukas Classic Stakes (Gr. 3)". equibase. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ a b Rees, Jenny (30 June 2015). "Churchill renames stakes the Lukas Classic". Courier Journal. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "LUKAS CLASSIC STAKES - CHURCHILL DOWNS, KY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ Schweigardt, Andrew (2022). "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for February 2022-January 2023". Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- ^ "2024 Lukas Classic S. Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "2023 Lukas Classic S. Grade 2 - (race 10)" (PDF). Equibase. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ "2022 Lukas Classic S. Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ "2021 Lukas Classic S. Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "2019 Lukas Classic S. Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ "2018 Lukas Classic S. Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ "2017 Lukas Classic S. Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ "2016 Lukas Classic S. Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ "2015 Lukas Classic S. Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ "2014 Homecoming Classic S. Black Type - (race 11)". Equibase. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ "2013 Homecoming Classic S. Black Type - (race 7)". Equibase. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2020.