Thoroughbred Daily News

In a joint statement from President Bob Hutt and Executive Director Jeff Matty of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA), the Bucks County litigation filed last fall by members of the board of directors was settled on terms that all parties believe to be in the best interest of the PTHA and its 2,500-plus membership, the organization said via a press release on Thursday.

On Oct. 22 of last year, TDN's T.D. Thornton reported that seven of the 11 directors of the PTHA had filed a legal response that denied sweeping allegations of corruption and cronyism that were made the prior month by Hutt and another board member. The directors specified for removal by Hutt included Matty, who was also under contract to work as the PTHA's executive director.

In the settlement agreement, the parties recognize that all directors have acted in good faith and in the best interest of the PTHA at all times and that no party should be removed based on the conduct raised in the litigation.

As a result of the settlement terms, the board will seek to implement a plan of action within the next 60 days by amending the bylaws. Changes will include mandatory board training at the beginning of each term, along with a more robust conflict of interest and mandatory disclosure policy.

The release goes on to state that neither the parties nor their counsel shall have any other comment about the litigation or the settlement.

Click here to access the settlement agreement.

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The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and 'At the Races' host Steve Byk will once again partner for the 'Beat Byk NHC Challenge' this summer, offering one NHC tour member the opportunity to compete in the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) at the Horseshoe Las Vegas from Mar. 13-15, 2026.

“For me, the return of 'Beat Byk' means summer and featured contest races at Saratoga, Del Mar, Ellis Park, Colonial Downs, Monmouth Park and by Labor Day, Kentucky Downs,” said Byk. “'Beat Byk' has proven to be an excellent gateway for aspiring contest players and sending one horseplayer to Vegas for the NHC on a free roll every year means a lot to me. Thanks to the NTRA for giving players this no-cost opportunity.”

Last year's contest attracted better than 12,000 entries. Every Thursday, Byk will choose the weekend stakes race that make up the week's contest and announce them both on the radio and on his X page, @Steve_Byk.

Byk's selections will be announced no later than each Friday. There will be 17 chances to qualify to the Beat Byk NHC Online Qualifier on September 13 during the promotional period. Listeners will be encouraged to log into https://www.ntra.com/beatbyk/ where they will either use Byk's selection to win the featured race or try to 'Beat Byk' by selecting another horse.

All who correctly select the winning horse in each round will advance to a NHC 'Beat Byk' online qualifier on Sept. 13 held on Horseplayers.com. Participants may qualify only once during the promotional period.

Membership in the NHC is required to take part in the September NHC Online qualifier.

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The fifth installment of the 2025 OwnerView webinar series took place on July 1 focusing on the development of young horses with panelists Niall Brennan (Niall Brennan Stables), David O'Farrell (Ocala Stud), trainer Lindsay Schultz and retired pinhooker Eddie Woods. Gary Falter, the project manager for OwnerView, moderated a panel discussion.

The conference is hosted by The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and presented by Bessemer Trust, Keeneland, and Stoll Keenon Ogden. The panel was sponsored by OCD Pellets.

According to O'Farrell, it's important to start working with foals as soon as possible if they are nursing and healthy.

“You know they would follow their mother if you let them and they'd lead right into the stall,” he said. “But it's hugely important that you go ahead and put the mini halter, the figure eight halter, on and coax them down the shed row and teach them to lead right off the bat.”

The panelists agreed that starting horses should be done slowly and quietly.

“The slower you go, the better it is. If you get into a rush, it ends up a mess,” Woods said.

Brennan concurred. “If you go a little too quickly with it and frighten them, then that's a different story,” he said. “We just take our time, and similar to Eddie, we spend about a week in the stall with the riders just playing with them, putting the tack on them, turning them around, and just judging them individually.”

Another theme was starting and working horses together.

“We send them out in groups, especially for the first while that they're at the track,” said Schultz. “And if we don't have a group then you might send them out with a pony. The first part of the process, they always go in company.”

The next session entitled 'Buying at the Sales and Digital Sales' will be held Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. ET. The full schedule may be viewed here. There is no fee to register for the series, but registration is required.

Click here for video of the July 1 webinar.

The post OwnerView Webinar Covers The Development of Young Horses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Gabriel Duignan's Echo Sound (Echo Town) might not be perfect but she's pretty darn close. The winner in her latest start in the GIII Miss Preakness Stakes will try to make it back-to-back graded wins for trainer Rusty Arnold in Saratoga's opening day feature, the GIII Victory Ride Stakes.

According to Arnold, a win in the 6 1/2-furlong test for sophomore fillies would be special for more reasons than simply its placement on the calendar.

“We've targeted this race because of the distance, and it's also a special race to me since I trained Victory Ride,” Arnold said. “It would be nice to win. You don't get many chances where you get to run in a race named after something you had. It's a great opportunity and I can't wait to give it a try.”

A winner in her career debut at Ellis Park last summer, the bay won her next two–an optional claimer at Churchill Downs in September followed by a score in Keeneland's Myrtlewood Stakes in October. Situated a little farther off the pace than usual in Churchill's 6 1/2-furlong Fern Creek Nov. 30, the half-sister to GSW Pick of the Litter (Kitten's Joy) came up 2 1/2-lengths short of Impulse Buy (Speightstown), while finishing a neck ahead of favored Shisospicy (Mitole), who won three of four subsequent starts including the GIII Mamzelle at Churchill.

“She's doing very well. She doesn't have a bad race, and what I like about her is she has won at Ellis Park, Keeneland, Churchill and Pimlico,” Arnold explained. “In five starts, she's won at four different racetracks, so she doesn't need to be on her favorite track.”

He added, “We thought she was nice, but you never know until they run. She did everything right, she's a big strong filly, and she hasn't done anything wrong since Day 1. All her races have been good. We're taking a step up in competition and we'll see what we have.”

Asked about tactics for her first start in New York, Arnold said, “I think I'll leave it to Luis [Saez]. She'll lay right off horses, and I don't think she's ever going to be way back, but she'll lay off of them and if there isn't a ton of speed, she has no problem being there. It's a very good thing for her.”

The post Near Perfect Echo Sound Looks to Add Another Notch to Her Belt in the Victory Ride appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Some of the most influential people in the life of Wayne Lukas-and some of the people for whom he was the most influential–took part in a special TDN Writers' Room podcast in order to pay tribute to `the Coach,' who passed away Saturday night at the age of 89.

Lukas worked almost up until his last days in the sport which he revolutionized upon his arrival in the early 1980s. Before it was over, he would win 20 Breeders' Cups, 15 Triple Crown races, five Eclipse Awards as leading trainer, and see his horses win 25 year-end championship awards. But it was the personal side of their interactions with Lukas which the eight guests–Todd Pletcher, Kiaran McLaughlin, Bob Baffert, Ron Moquett, Christina Bossinakis, John Bellinger, Jerry Bailey, and Gary Stevens–wanted to discuss.

“He hired me in January of 1985 to go to California,” said Kiaran McLaughlin, who worked as an assistant to Lukas for seven years. “Well, the first thing was he told me to meet him at four o'clock at the donut shop. I said, `four o'clock? What do we do at four o'clock?' And in walked Noble Threewitt and Willard Proctor and we grabbed a coffee and donut and we were out of there before four o'clock. We drove to the barn at four and it was dark. And I wondered what we were going to do that early. But it was a set list. He waited to the morning of to do the set list in case it rained and he had to change something. And for the next seven years, it was four in the morning, get up, and go to work.”

If there was one area in which McLaughlin failed, it was his penmanship, which Lukas required to be picture-perfect, said Todd Pletcher, who was at the barn around the same time. “He expected his assistants to not only be on top of everything with the horses, but also to have good penmanship,” said Pletcher. “Have you ever seen Wayne Lukas's autograph? I mean, it looks like an artist drew it. And I think that that story speaks to the level of detail that he expected out of people, not just the caring for the horses and the running of the races, but everything around the shed row had to be just perfect.”

Jerry Bailey won the 1996 GI Kentucky Derby for Lukas aboard Grindstone, but had known him since he was a teenager.

“My association with Wayne goes probably back 60 years,” said Bailey. “My first interaction with Lukas was when I was a kid in New Mexico at Ruidoso Downs. I grew up in West Texas and we used to go up to Ruidoso every summer. My dad owned some horses and Wayne was up there training. Wayne has been called a lot of nicknames–Rhinestone Cowboy–but his nickname back then was Mr. Clean, because he had a vacuum between every other stall of the horses and before they would go up to the paddock–because he was bedding on sawdust as everybody was–he would take the vacuum and suck all the dust off of them before they went to the paddock.”

John Bellinger, one of his principal owners in his later years, said he'd miss the conversation the most. “Sitting in his office, closing the door, and reminiscing about the past, about what he'd done, who he'd worked with,” said Bellinger. “In those four years, I obtained a PhD in horse racing from Wayne Lukas. He was the coach. He was the professor. He prepped us for the next step going forward and every moment was so special.”

In his later years, Lukas was known for allowing young people into the winner's circle after he won a race. One of the first of those was Christina Bossinakis, who asked for his autograph at 19, and 25 years later, was autographing books alongside him as the co-author of their book, Sermon on the Mount. “He was my idol,” she said of their meeting, which she credits for her long career in horse racing. “I admired him so much that if he had brushed me off or had done anything that made me feel not welcome, I honestly think I may not be in horse racing today. So I'm really appreciative of that moment with him.”

Ron Moquett, a dear friend of Lukas's later in life, recalled a time when Lukas was driving him back and forth to a meeting on icy Arkansas roads. “He just keeps going faster and faster, and I said, `Wayne, I don't want you driving like this. I don't want to die.' And he says, `why are you so worried about dying?' I said, `because the headline tomorrow would read `World-Famous Hall of Fame Trainer Wayne Lukas and Passenger Killed in Car Wreck.' I said, `they won't even say my name.' He laughed the rest of the way home.”

Lukas was instrumental in the career of jockey Gary Stevens, and for Stevens, picking out his fondest moment between the pair was a simple one. “I've got a drone shot, a picture of Wayne leading me and Oxbow into the winner's circle at Pimlico,” he said. “I've got my left hand on Wayne's shoulder and he's got this humongous smile on his face. That's how I'm going to remember Wayne.”

For Bob Baffert, who was with Lukas from the Quarter Horse days right up until the past few weeks, the pain of his loss is raw. Baffert recently posted a tribute on social media that ended with, “I hope I made him proud.”

“I really had a hard time with it last week when I first heard about it,” he said. “I'm still dealing with it.”

The TDN Writers' Room is presented by Keeneland; the guests of the week are sponsored by Gainesway. The rest of the show is sponsored by the PHBA, 1/ST TV, WinStar, and West Point Thoroughbreds.

Click here to watch the show.

Click here to listen to the show.

The post Writers’ Room Devotes Entire Podcast to Wayne Lukas Tribute appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

SARATOGA SPRINGS–After Baeza's (McKinzie) lackluster third-place finish in the GI Belmont Stakes last month, trainer John Shirreffs wasn't convinced his horse was as bad as he showed at Saratoga Race Course.

Shirreffs is keeping the faith and will ship Baeza back to Saratoga for a date in the $500,000 GII Jim Dandy on July 26.

“It seems like all roads lead to Saratoga,” Shirreffs said by phone from California Wednesday afternoon. “So far, it's the only race that has been under discussion with [owners] Mr. [Lee] Searing and Mr. [Robert] Clay.”

Baeza came to the Belmont with plenty of hype after his third-place finish in the GI Kentucky Derby and a second in the GI Santa Anita Derby. In six career starts, Baeza has just a maiden win, but has shown plenty of potential.

Shirreffs thought that potential would shine through in the Belmont, but he finished 6 1/2 lengths behind Sovereignty (Into Mischief). Journalism (Curlin) was 3 1/2 lengths in front of him.

“I did not expect him to run that way at all,” Shirreffs said. “We were expecting him to run more like he did in the Kentucky Derby and maybe do a little bit better. I really don't know what led to that.”

Since the Belmont, Baeza has worked twice at Santa Anita. His most recent move was a bullet (1/66) four furlongs in :46.40 last Friday.

Shirreffs said if Baeza performs well in the Jim Dandy, he would keep the colt in Saratoga for a return trip in the GI Travers on Aug. 23.

“I think he is as good as any 3-year-old in the country,” Shirreffs said. “I just want hm to prove it.”

One potential snag in the Jim Dandy plan is who will ride Baeza in the Jim Dandy. Flavien Prat was his jockey in the Belmont and the Kentucky Derby.

Shirreffs said that he was told by Prat's agent Brad Pegram that Prat would be in California to ride Nysos (Nyquist) in the GII San Diego Handicap on July 26 if trainer Bob Baffert opts to run the 4-year-old in that spot.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is hoping that Friday's  $400,000 GII Suburban is a lock.

That's because Locked (Gun Runner), one of the talented trio of older horses living in his barn, is running in the 1 1/4-race for 4-year-olds and up.

Locked schooling in Saratoga | Sarah Andrew

Pletcher has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to older horses. Besides Locked, he can see Mindframe (Constitution) and Fierceness (City of Light) down his shedrow. Mindframe stamped himself as the leader of the division last weekend when he won the GI Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs; Fierceness was last seen finishing second in the GI Met Mile at Saratoga on Belmont Day.

Now, it's Locked's turn.

“It's back to a distance that he is at his best at,” Pletcher said outside his office on the Oklahoma Training Track. “He has had some good wins, but I think the [GI] Santa Anita Handicap was his best effort.”

Locked, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm, won the 1 1/4-mile Santa Anita Handicap by 8 1/2 lengths under jockey Jose Ortiz, who will be ride on Friday. Locked is the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the field of eight.

In his last start, Locked finished fourth in the GII Alysheba at Churchill Downs on May 2, beaten 6 3/4 lengths by Fierceness. That race was run at 1 1/16 miles. Fierceness set a track record (1:40.66) while Locked was screaming for more distance.

“If you look at it, they went slow fractions [:24.39, :48.31] and then they had a track record,” Pletcher said. “Usually, track records are set with fast paces. [Locked] was trying to close ground into horses that went soft fractions early and then they set a track record. Kind of an impossible scenario.”

While Pletcher awaits Locked, he can sing the praises of Mindframe, owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC. He ran his record to three wins in three starts this year at three different distances. The Stephen Foster was run at 1 1/8 miles; the GI Churchill Downs seven furlongs and the GII Gulfstream Park Mile.

For his career, he has five wins in seven starts; last year he was second in the GI Belmont and GI Haskell following a maiden and allowance wins.

Pletcher now must decide what comes next for Mindframe. He already has Fierceness, also owned by Repole Stable, pointed to the prestigious $1-million GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 2.

“We have to keep it in play,” Pletcher said about Mindframe and the Whitney. “You hate to run two horses like that against one another, but you also have to manage each horse's career for what is best for each horse.”

If it is decided that Mindframe won't run in the Whitney, Pletcher said Plan B would be for the colt to compete in the $1-million GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga on Aug. 31.

It's time for Sovereignty (Into Mischief) to get busy again. The GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes champ is back on the work tab for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Last Friday, Sovereignty had his first work since the Belmont as Mott allowed his stable star to stretch his legs on the Oklahoma Training Track (four furlongs in :50.85).

Sovereignty on the track in Saratoga | Sarah Andrew

The next goal is the Jim Dandy at 1 1/8 miles on July 26. That would be the only race Mott would target for Sovereignty, whose summer end game goal is the GI Travers on Aug. 23.

Sovereignty, owned by Godolphin, has won three of four starts this year. In the Kentucky Derby and Belmont, he defeated the favored Journalism, who was favored in both races.

Mott, standing outside his office at the Oklahoma Training Track, said there would also be the option of training Sovereignty up to the Travers, but that would only happen if the horse could not make the Jim Dandy.

“Anything can happen,” Mott said. “You never know. He could get a fever, he could get a skin rash, he could grab a quarter. It's day to day. It is always day to day. We are going to put him on a regular schedule and see if we can get him to the Jim Dandy.”

Since the Belmont, Mott sees nothing but a healthy horse in Sovereignty. The colt has stamped himself as the best 3-year-old in the country after winning two legs of the Triple Crown.

“We have had high expectations for him for a long time,” Mott said. “But having hopes and dreams and expectations is different from actually doing it. Those things are all in our minds. Right now, his record is his record.”

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – There was far more than a simple change of address for trainer Cherie DeVaux when she was assigned Barn 83–for decades the Saratoga base for legendary D. Wayne Lukas–for this summer's racing season.

In addition to dealing with the daily demands of managing her large stable, DeVaux, a rising star in the sport, has embraced her new roles: historian and preservationist of an important corner of the barn area on the sprawling Saratoga Race Course grounds. Within a day or two of DeVaux moving her stable into the barn, the Lukas family announced that Lukas, 89, was retiring from racing and entering palliative care. She reacted with eloquent social media posts on June 23:

“….With his recent retirement from training due to health, we've been entrusted with taking over this space for the summer. But it doesn't feel like just taking over a barn. It feels like entering a cathedral of greatness.

“As I walked the shedrow this morning, I kept thinking about the horses that stood in these very stalls–champions whose names helped shape the sport. And then I sat in the office he left behind, at his desk, and stared at the empty chair. I wondered what he thought about in those quiet early hours. How many dreams began right there with a legal pad and a coffee?

Sarah Andrew photo

“Wayne didn't just train horses. He set a standard. He built a legacy that inspired generations, myself included. And while the tack room may bear a new name this summer, his spirit lingers in every inch of this place.

“Honored doesn't begin to cover it. Grateful. Humbled. Inspired. We'll do our best to honor what he built here-one horse, one morning, one moment at a time.”

Six days after DeVaux made that post, the Lukas family released the news that he had died on June 28. DeVaux learned of his passing while sitting in his former office, a small building about 20 yards across from the 32-stall barn. Another touching social media followed.

In that office Tuesday morning, DeVaux said that it is not typical of her to make those type of public statements.

“I'm not really an emotional person, personally or professionally, but I think that, when you're moved to something…” she said, her voice trailing off. “I am not tone deaf either. Can't come in here and just pretend like I'm going to be the new czar of Barn 83. I just felt like it was necessary to say something. I felt it and I felt like it was emotional enough to share.”

DeVaux now conducts her business from a well-ordered separate space, one of just a few on the grounds, that is something of a Lukas museum.

“When we first came in here, this office was left like they were coming back,” she said. “They had every intention of coming back here. It wasn't like last year they thought, 'Oh, well, maybe we're not going to come back.' This office was set up. And you can see there's still pictures of Wayne and his wife and sentimental things that will still be there. His own handwriting right there, about Winning Colors. Those things will stay. There are things I just don't feel comfortable moving. I have to make my own traditions and make it my own, but still feel the need to honor what has been left here.”

Among the memorabilia on the walls, just to the right of the door is Lukas's note that says Winning Colors is the only Kentucky Derby winner to break its maiden at Saratoga.

Lukas made his debut at Saratoga in 1984, but was not in Barn 83 in the early years. Longtime Lukas assistant Randy Bradshaw said Wednesday that he first set up Barn 83 for Lukas when Is It True and Open Mind were 2-year-olds, which was 1988.

DeVaux, 43, was born in Saratoga Springs while her parents operated their standardbred stable at Saratoga Harness, but the family moved when she was of kindergarten age. She left college at SUNY Albany to start her racing career 21 years ago and worked on the staffs of two other Saratoga-area natives, the late Chuck Simon of Ballston Lake, and multiple Eclipse Award winner Chad Brown of Mechanicville. She started her own business in 2018 with eight horses and celebrated her first victory in her 29th career start. Her success and purse earnings have improved markedly every year and she jumped from $5.5 million in earnings in 2023 to $10.2 million in 2024. Entering this week, the start of the second half of the year, she has $3.98 million in earnings and is winning at a 22% rate. DeVaux has 21 graded stakes wins, five of them Grade I.

DeVaux was stabled on the backside of the main track at Saratoga and said she rarely came near out-of-the-way Barn 83, which is the farthest on the grounds from the finish line of the main track. Since her horses typically visit the Oklahoma training track daily, she was interested in being stabled closer to that facility but only if she could get a barn with a covered shedrow. Barn 83 fit both criteria and she accepted the offer from New York Racing Association officials to relocate, even though it meant following a legend who set the standard for success on the track, but for tidy barns decorated with flowers.

A photo of Wayne and Laurie Lukas left in the office at Barn 83 at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew

“I thought it was really neat, obviously,” she said. “You can't come in here and not feel like a special honor. You come into these places, and you think about the horses that have come through here and been in these stalls. You just think about how pristine it has been. Then you think, 'Oh no, now I have to emulate some of that.' We're trying to, but it's going to be a process for us.”

DeVaux said that longtime Lukas assistant Bas Nicholl, who has taken over the Lukas stable, has sent her images of how Barn 83 has looked in recent years. She understands that with the four-day Fourth of July meet that opens Thursday and the launch of the 40-day meet on July 10, there will be visitors stopping by the Lukas-turned-DeVaux barn and grounds.

“That's why I'm trying to get all my flowers in order and clean it up,” she said. “But, it's a big undertaking. Wayne had a whole staff dedicated to getting the barn set up before we even got here and this is our first year, so we've got to come up with our own system. We're personally ready, but we're getting there as far as getting it set up and just having it as esthetically pleasing as we can.”

In her communications with Nicholl, DeVaux asked him to send up a Lukas Stable sign that she hopes can be part of a Lukas memorial garden on the site. She has an order in for an American flag to put on the flag pole in front of the barn.

Since they often competed on the same tracks, DeVaux said she did get to know Lukas a little bit.

“I had conversations in passing,” she said. “I first started my career in 2004 and I was in Kentucky, and anyone who knows me would find it profound that I was intimidated by him, but I was. In my own career, we spent some time just waiting for races and in the horsemen's lounge and chatted a bit. Very friendly. I obviously had an immense amount of respect for him. He was just so nice and genuine, just a genuine person.”

So many great horses were located in Barn 83 during Lukas's time there and DeVaux is hoping to find out which stalls standouts like Winning Colors lived in. Her intention is to put some of her top runners and 2-year-old prospects like Zenyatta's final foal, Nymue (War Front), and the Lady Eli colt, Dr. Agne (Into Mischief), in those spaces. She has reached out to Saratoga veterans like Daily Racing Form photographer Barbara Livingston and welcomes help for anyone with some knowledge to share.

Sarah Andrew

DeVaux acknowledged that it felt a little weird to be sitting in what had been Lukas's chair in the office.

“The first time I really sat in the chair is when I wrote that post,” she said. “I walked around the barn and it was hot as blazes. It was that hot, hot, 90-something day, and that's when I sat and wrote that. It's a bit emotional, but we don't really get the luxury of, like, sitting there, really thinking about things, because I have to-do lists all over the place. Here. One here. One here. So you just get a few moments to think about it, and then it's fleeting, and then you think about it again. Then it's kind of you get to really think.”

DeVaux said she is comfortable handling two responsibilities at Saratoga.

“I have my own career that I'm trying to do,” she said, “but I still want to make sure that I'm not just brushing away a memory of a person that deserves to be recognized and memorialized for many years to come.”

Editor's Note: Winning Colors is, in fact, not the only horse to have broken its maiden at Saratoga en route to a victory in the Kentucky Derby. Gallant Fox notched his first win at the Spa, and Regret won all three starts as a juvenile at Saratoga in 1914–all versus the boys starting with the Saratoga Special. Finally, in this era Big Brown graduated in his career debut over the Saratoga turf course in 2007 before winning the first two legs of the Triple Crown the following spring.

The post DeVaux Honored to Follow Lukas at Spa Barn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations

Date: 07/01/2025
Licensee: James Nicholson, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 2, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Sheer Dominance, who won at Parx Racing on 5/17/25.

Date: 07/01/2025
Licensee: Natalie Cowan, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Beauty Bolt on 5/2/25.

Date: 06/30/2025
Licensee: Manuel Alejandro Chavez, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 1, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a total fine of $1,500, $500 for the Class C Controlled Medication Rule Violation, and $1,000 for the Class B Controlled Medication Rule Violation; imposition of a total of 3.5 Penalty Points, 1.5 Penalty Points for the Class C Controlled Medication Rule Violation, and 2 Penalty Points for the Class B Controlled Medication Rule Violation. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the use or attempted use of Caffeine and Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)-Class B and C controlled substances respectively-on Moringa during the race period dated 5/1/25. Moringa did not make a start that day.

Date: 06/27/2025
Licensee: Ricardo Vega, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. A final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Regalpains, who finished fourth at Parx Racing on 5/13/25.

Date: 06/26/2025
Licensee: Brittany Russell, trainer
Penalty: A written reprimand.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (GastroGard)-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Magico on 5/20/25.

Pending ADMC Violations
07/01/2025, Marcelino Salas, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Diclofenac-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Yammy Yammy Bella, who finished second at Parx Racing on 5/28/25.

06/30/2025, Gary Contessa, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a Class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Answer the Call on 5/21/25.

06/30/2025, Jonathaniel Badillo, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Capsaicin-a Class B controlled substance-in samples taken from Spotten Bull, who won at Parx Racing on 5/21/25; and finished second at Parx Racing on 5/28/25.

06/27/2025, Carlos Perez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a Class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Navy Cross, who won at Gulfstream Park on 5/16/25.

06/26/2025, Ray Handal, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Dexamethasone-a Class C controlled substance-in samples taken from Makeyourmoment, who finished fifth at Aqueduct on 4/23/25; and in a sample taken from Valtellina, who won at Belmont at the Big A on 5/16/25.

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The initial draft of supplemental entries added to the upcoming Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age includes offerings from Estate of D. Wayne Lukas, according to a release Wednesday. In total, Fasig-Tipton has catalogued an additional 11 entries to the July Selected HORA sale, which will be held on Tuesday, July 8 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Mulholland Springs will serve as agent for the five Lukas Estate offerings. The offerings include two unraced 2-year-olds by Essential Quality and Liam's Map that were selected and purchased by Lukas.

The new supplements are catalogued as hips 355-365:

Princess Indy (Hip 355): A stakes winner at two, she's a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner Super Chow, and out of a half-sister to Grade I winners Carina Mia and Miss Match (Arg). Consigned by Taylor Made Sale Agency, agent.

Back Ring Buzz (Hip 356): Two-year-old daughter of Hard Spun won her most recent start at Gulfstream on June 27 despite a troubled trip.  Consigned by Taylor Made Sale Agency, agent.

Perfect Figure (Hip 357): Stakes placed at two, she's a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Wizard of Westwood from the family of Grade/Group 1Iwinners Danon Kingly and West Coast. Her third dam is champion Caressing.  Consigned by Elite, agent.

Victory Music (Hip 359): Two-year-old daughter of Maclean's Music won her debut at Churchill Downs from the rail on June 29 in wire-to-wire fashion. Consigned by Paramount Sales, agent.

Waco (Hip 360): Stakes placed at Oaklawn at three last year, he is a half-brother to multiple graded stakes placed Flying Private. Consigned by Mulholland Springs, agent for the Estate of D. Wayne Lukas.

Going Steady (Hip 361): Three-year-old winning daughter of Constitution is out a half-sister to stakes winner and stakes producer Stronger Than Ever. Her female family includes GISWs Rail Trip, Palace Malice, and Justin Palace. Consigned by Mulholland Springs, agent for the Estate of D. Wayne Lukas.

These entries will also be available in the Equineline sales catalogue app. Printed versions will be available on the sales grounds at sale time.

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The version of President Donald Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill” passed by the Senate earlier this week contains a tax provision that could prove prohibitive to gamblers, with ramifications for horse racing's bottom line.

In the Senate's version of the bill, deductions for gambling winnings will be limited to 90% of annual losses. Currently, gamblers can deduct 100% of wagering losses (below a net profit) for any given year.

As NBC Sports describes it, “$100,000 in winnings against $100,000 in losses will be treated for tax purposes as if the losses were only $90,000.”

The specific language in the bill can be found at section 70114, “Extension and modification of limitation on wagering losses.”

The House is currently voting to concur their version of the bill with the Senate.

“It is a big deal,” said Tom Rooney, CEO and president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), who pointed to the possible impacts on horse racing revenues through gambling dollars throughout the sport, and especially those jurisdictions with no supplemental revenues.

Rooney said he's working with representatives from other key gaming entities to petition lawmakers on the issue, including the American Gaming Association.

“We've let it be known to our friends on the Hill that our sport is generated by the people that play the horses. And, if they're dissuaded in any way to do that, it's going to hurt our sport,” said Rooney.

In an online post on the social media platform known as X, professional gambler Phil Galfond warned how the proposed gambling tax change could have major ramifications on high-volume gamblers, with ripple effects on industries like horse racing.

“Let's say that over the course of all the sessions we play throughout the year, we won $5.2 million and we lost $5 million for a net of $200,000,” said Galfond in his post.

“Now we would pay as if we won $5.2 million minus 90% of $5 million, which is $4.5 million, for a fake net of $700,000. So, you would make $200,000 during the year, [but] you would pay tax as if you made $700,000. Meaning, in almost everybody's case you would pay more tax than you made during the year,” said Galfond.

That is “completely untenable,” said Galfond. “You can't be a professional gambler in the U.S. if this goes through. And that will have a ripple effect on industries that depend on professionals [gamblers].”

While the House can add no new language to the bill, verbiage can be stripped.

A previous version of the bill in the House contained key tax provisions that would have been detrimental to many horse racing stakeholders. But Rooney said that they were able to remove that through lobbying efforts.

“Whether or not they can change language this late in the game is very tough,” said Rooney, about efforts to strip the latest gambling tax language from the current iteration of the bill.

“People ask, why are they moving this gambling tax from 100% to 90%, it's because of revenue, and just trying to find money wherever they can,” said Rooney.

Large tax cuts–which primarily favor the nation's wealthiest–and spending increases on the military and immigration enforcement are offset by huge cuts to the social safety net including to Medicare and to children's food assistance programs.

These cuts aren't enough to balance the budget, however. Independent analysis of Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill” found it would increase the already ballooning national debt by $3.3 trillion over the next 10 years.

Reached late on Wednesday, Rooney said at that time he understood the bill would not be changed to remove the gambling tax language. “Final passage is uncertain,” he added, of the entire budgetary package.

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Donations of items and experiences are now being accepted by the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover Silent Auction. The annual auction raises funds to support the production of the Thoroughbred Makeover and the advancement of the RRP's mission to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing through education, inspiration, and service.

Popular contributions to the auction in the past have included experiences such as polo lessons or fox hunting, racing memorabilia such as stallion halters and shoes, equestrian or racing artwork, tack and stable items, and hotel stays or race day tickets. Donated items are tax deductible according to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 170.

The online auction will be held during Thoroughbred Makeover week, Oct. 4-11, and items will be on display at the event at the Kentucky Horse Park starting Oct. 8.

Visit therrp.org/forms/2025-silent-auction-donation-form/ for more information on the donation process.

The post Items Being Accepted for Thoroughbred Makeover Silent Auction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

5. Spun Candy, CD, 6/28, 6 1/2 furlongs (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 86
(f, 3, by Hard Spun-Sugar Plum Fairy, by Drosselmeyer)
O-Commonwealth Stable 3, On Our Own Stable and Dallas Stewart. B-Brushy Hill Stable (Ky). T-Dallas Stewart. J-Brian Hernandez Jr.
Another who showed dramatic improvement–topping her previous high Beyer by 18 points–in her first try over a wet surface. A modest $85k Ocala 2-year-old purchase, she had been knocking heads with tough maidens in her first five starts, including Immersive and Senza Parole.

4. Roofer, BAQ, 6/27, 6 furlongs (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 87
(c, 3, by Honest Mischief-Memories of Mom, by Include)
O-Richard Greeley. B-Robert Harris (NY). T-Mitchell Friedman. J-Ruben Silvera.
In breaking into the win column in his ninth start, Roofer delivered a Beyer figure 24 points higher than in any of his previous races. It wasn't fluky–he led from the gate to dominate New York-breds in 1:09.36. But it isn't easily explained, either: no track bias, no new blinkers or new surface, no trainer/distance/running style change, no first-time Lasix, no sudden sequence of fast works. Sometimes improvement just….happens.

3. Love Actually, GP, 6/28, 5 furlongs (turf) (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 87
(f, 3, by Caravaggio-Deer Island Diva, by Unbridled Mate)
O-Enjoy the Ride Stables. B-Sharon Rose & Peter Daly (Fla). T-Joe Orseno. J-Edwin Gonzalez.
Welcome to the week of sudden, dramatic improvement. Love Actually turned in a new Beyer top by 19 points. In her sixth start, she made all the pace over very firm Gulfstream turf and opened up with authority in the upper stretch as the even-money favorite.

2. Synthetic, EVD, 6/26, 6 furlongs
Beyer Speed Figure- 87
(f, 3, by Midshipman-Always Here Too, by Include)
O-Keith Plaisance. B-Clear Creek Stud & Theodore Brandon (La). T-Joseph Felks. J-Emanuel Nieves.
It took a while to get her to the races, but the word was out on 3-year-old first-timer Synthetic, and the buzz proved accurate. She opened at 10-1 on the morning line, was bet to 9-5 favoritism, and blew her Louisiana-bred rivals away by nine widening lengths in 1:10.17. Taylor Made Sales agency consigned her at Fasig-Tipton's July 2023 yearling sale, where she brought $75k–and if her debut performance is any indication, she's worth every cent.

1. Lemon Zest, CD, 6/29, 1 mile (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 88
(f, 3, by Nyquist-Larkin, by Bernardini)
O/B- Godolphin (Ky). T-Brad Cox. J-Luis Saez.
When Godolphin placed 11-year-old mare Larkin in this January's all-ages sale at Keeneland, her decent pedigree was overshadowed by her undistinguished record as a racehorse and her four then-undistinguished foals. She sold for a paltry $17,000. But her daughter Lemon Zest–unraced at the time Larkin went through the ring–ran down 3-5 California shipper Margarita Girl on Sunday in a sharp 1:34.03, and bears watching over the next few months.

The post The Five Fastest Maidens, Presented by Taylor Made, For the Week of June 24-29 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 2026 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale will feature several key changes, the company announced Tuesday. Per their release, these changes, centered around eliminating timed workouts and restricting whip use, are designed to better reflect the natural athleticism of the horses, and attract a wider pool of buyers to the marketplace.

Key changes include:

• All under tack show performances will be untimed; Fasig-Tipton will not officially clock breezes.
• Use of the riding crop will be restricted: riders may carry a crop for safety purposes but may not strike horses during workouts.

“These changes reflect our commitment to improving our two-year-old sales process,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “We believe buyer focus has skewed too heavily toward stopwatch-based evaluations. This approach is intended to restore balance–emphasizing how a horse moves and presents itself on the track.”

The modifications are also designed with long-term strategy in mind: to welcome a broader spectrum of buyers. “By focusing less on clock-driven evaluations and removing whip use, we believe we can create a more accessible and horse-first sales environment,” Browning continued. “Our aim is to better serve traditional buyers while also welcoming new owners, trainers, and end-users who are interested in acquiring horses that are physically ready and mentally sound for the racetrack.”

Fasig-Tipton's decision was based in part on an unplanned but revealing trial during the 2025 Midlantic May Sale when severe weather prompted the company to adjust the final day of the under tack show to untimed gallops and breezes. According to Fasig-Tipton, the response was overwhelmingly positive.

“It became an unexpected case study,” said Browning. “Not only did the show present well visually, but the horses came out of their workouts in excellent condition–and the feedback from leading buyers and consignors was extremely supportive. That experience, combined with the tremendous horsemanship of our consignors, gives us the confidence to make these changes.”

The 2026 Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale will take place May 18-19 in Timonium, Maryland, following the running of the Preakness Stakes.

The post Fasig-Tipton To Switch To Untimed Breezes, Other Changes To 2026 Midlantic May Sale Format appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Jose Sarinana has checked off a number of firsts with Happy Saver. The longtime assistant manager at Hagyard Farm, Sarinana foaled the future Grade I winner and seven years later was the breeder of the stallion's first foal. That foal, a filly out of Sarinana's only broodmare Planeta (Giant's Causeway), will become the stallion's first yearling to sell at auction when she goes through the ring as hip 4 in the early minutes of the Fasig-Tipton July Selected Yearlings Sale next Tuesday. She is the lone horse in the Sarinana Racing consignment.

Bred and campaigned by Wertheimer et Frere and trained by Todd Pletcher, Happy Saver opened his career with five straight wins, a streak which included a victory in the 2020 GI Jockey Club Gold Cup. He hit the board in 11 of 13 starts with five wins and earnings of $1,258,100. In addition to his win in the Gold Cup, he was second in that race, as well as the GI Clark Stakes in 2021, and was runner-up in the 2022 editions of the GI Metropolitan Handicap and GI Whitney Stakes before retiring to stud at Airdrie in 2023.

The team at Hagyard, the Wertheimer's Kentucky nursery where Happy Saver was born, knew the handsome chestnut was talented right from the start, according to Sarinana.

“We always number our horses from top to bottom,” Sarinana said. “And Happy Saver was always in the top three. He was good looking as a baby, as a weanling and a yearling. When we shipped him out to be trained, he looked even better. When he made it as a racehorse, I wasn't surprised. I knew he would.”

Like Happy Saver, Planeta was bred by the Wertheimers.

“Planeta got hurt as a baby, so she wasn't going to be a racehorse, but we nursed her to be a broodmare,” Sarinana said. “I was at the point where I wanted to do a little breeding and a little bit of racing and I asked if I could buy her. I remember one of the Wertheimer advisors asked me, 'Do you like to pay bills.' I said, 'Well, I do pay my bills.' He said, 'Well there you go. She is yours.' And they gave her to me. I got her as a yearling. She never left the farm. She stayed at the farm where she was born and where I've been working for 19 years.”

Now 14, the mare, who is a half-sister to graded winner Meteore (Pulpit) and from the family of Grade I winners A Phenomenon and Seattle Meteor, is Sarinana's lone broodmare.

“Just the one. It's just her and me,” he said with a chuckle.

Happy Saver | Sarah Andrew

Dac (Distorted Humor) carried the Sarinana Racing colors to victory in the 2015 and 2016 Prairie Bayou Stakes and that led to a brief doubling of the operation's broodmare band.

“Dac brought some income to me and I decided to get another broodmare,” Sarinana said. “Unfortunately, I lost her foaling. I decided to just stick with Planeta.”

Planeta is the dam of Mr. Sarinana (Mr. Speaker), who won on the flat and over jumps, and Kbcya Later (Broken Vow), a 5-year-old with earnings to date over $140,000.

When he bred Planeta to Happy Saver, Sarinana was hoping to reproduce some of the same qualities he saw from that horse at a young age.

“Good temper, a pretty easy-going horse, you don't even know he's there,” he recalled of Happy Saver. “One of those horses who showed his class all the way around. I was hoping that he would put some of his traits into the foal and he did. The filly looks a lot like he did when he was a yearling. I hope everybody will agree with me and like her.”

Of breeding the stallion's first foal, Sarinana added, “It was very special because I've known Happy Saver since he was born–I foaled him. So to have his first foal, it was very exciting. Especially seeing how beautiful she was.”

Sarinana may soon need a replacement for his lone broodmare.

“I am looking for my next Planeta,” Sarinana admitted. “She lost a pregnancy last year and this year, she couldn't get in foal. So she may be telling me it's time to retire her. I don't know. I may try to breed her again next year. Maybe to Happy Saver.”

While he may end up with two broodmares at some point, Sarinana doesn't expect his breeding operation to expand beyond that.

“It's easy to just manage one or two mares,” he said. “Since I have my work, I work for the farm and it's easy for me to have one or two mares. As a hobby, I would say, more than a business. Maybe expecting you can make it one day.”

Hip 4 (walking video) will be the only horse in Sarinana's consignment and he acknowledged it could be hard work getting people to believe in your product.

“People who know me, know Hagyard Farm has bred and raced a lot of winners, but it's still hard to get people to believe in what you present,” Sarinana said. “It's like going to a mall and going to a mom and pop shop.”

The Fasig-Tipton July Selected Yearlings Sale will be held Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m. and will be followed immediately by the company's July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale.

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Nancy LaSala, who has served as president of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund since its establishment in 2006, has announced her retirement and has stepped down from the PDJF board.

“On behalf of the entire PDJF Board, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Nancy LaSala for her dedication and service to the Fund and our recipients,” said Chairman William J. Punk, Jr. “Her vision, unwavering commitment, and tireless efforts have been instrumental in what we've become and the support we provide our fallen riders. While she will be greatly missed, we celebrate her many achievements. She has made a lasting impact, and we look forward to continuing the growth she has enabled. Thank you, Nancy, for everything you've done for this organization and the professional jockey community that we serve.”

In addition to her role as PDJF president, LaSala served as the group's executive director from 2009 until April of last year. She received the Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs, in 2024.

A native of Chicago and wife of retired jockey Jerry LaSala, her business background includes a nearly 40-year career as manager of contract administration and commercial activities for a global leader in power generation.

“As one of the founding Board members of the PDJF, it's been an honor to help build this organization–from the ground up–into something that is so close to my heart,” LaSala said. “Looking back on our journey, I'm incredibly proud of the progress we've made and the impact we've had. It has been a privilege to work alongside such passionate and dedicated individuals, all united by a shared mission to support our jockeys in their time of greatest need. I leave with pride in what we've accomplished together and with deep appreciation for the relationships built along the way. I have always believed that a cornerstone of our sport's business model should be the unwavering support of both our human and equine athletes.”

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Dr. Mary Scollay has retired from her full-time duties as the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's chief of science, effective immediately, HIWU announced Tuesday. While Scollay will continue to serve as a consultant to HIWU, Dr. Michael Hardy has assumed the position of acting chief of science.

“Dr. Scollay was integral to the creation of HIWU and the launch and enforcement of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU. “In the three-plus years since our first introduction at Turfway Park's test barn, her contributions have been immeasurable.

“The entire HIWU team is thankful for Dr. Scollay's service on behalf of the Thoroughbred industry, and we are grateful that we will continue to benefit from her expertise as a consultant.”

Scollay was a regulatory veterinarian for more than 30 years, including 11 years serving as the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's equine medical director. She piloted the program that became known as The Jockey Club's Equine Injury Database (EID), which was the first North American database to track equine injuries and fatalities.

Before joining HIWU, Scollay was a member of HISA's inaugural ADMC Committee. She also served as the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium's executive director and chief operating officer for three years, where she directed the advancement of laboratory drug testing standards, promotion of RMTC-recommended rules and penalties for prohibited substances and therapeutic medications, monitoring of emerging threats to the integrity of racing and the health and welfare of racehorses, and administrative oversight of RMTC-funded research projects and educational programs.

As he transitions into his new position, Hardy will also maintain his role as executive director of the RMTC.

“HIWU has enjoyed a productive relationship with Dr. Hardy in his role at the RMTC, and we are excited for him to join our team,” said Mosier. “We are confident that he will build on our successes thus far to promote laboratory harmonization and facilitate research into novel substances that pose a threat to safety, integrity, and welfare.”

Hardy joins HIWU after spending nearly three years as the executive director of the RMTC. A member of HISA's Horsemen's Advisory Group, he spent more than a decade as a regulatory veterinarian, including serving as the chief association veterinarian and safety director at Horseshoe Indianapolis. He is also a member of the Breeders' Cup Veterinary Panel and has served on the Horseracing Testing Laboratory Committee and RegVets Continuing Education Program's Committee for the RMTC.

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law Monday a budget package that includes a continuation to, and in certain ways a redistribution of, the incentives and promotions that lawmakers have funnelled towards the state racing and breeding industries in recent years.

The budget includes the following details:

• $15 million to Gulfstream Park and $5 million to Tampa Bay Downs for purses “and for the maintenance and operation” of these facilities. This mirrors the amounts listed for such purposes in last year's budget.
• $6 million to Gulfstream Park and $1.5 million to Tampa Bay Downs to be used as purses and purses supplements specifically for Florida-bred and sired horses.
• A $2 million direct appropriation to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA).

Furthermore, the budget eliminates the requirement for Thoroughbred permitholders to pay their $2 million annual slot machine licensing fees, provided the permitholder is “in compliance” with certain specifics outlined in the budget.

Pre-existing legislation means the annual racetrack tax credits to offset HISA funding assessments continues this year unaffected.

The budget was a contentiously fought affair, both within the state legislature–which took an additional 45 days over the normal timeframe to agree upon a final package–and among some of the state's key racing industry organizations (beyond the ultimately thwarted attempts to decouple the live racing requirement for Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs to operate their respective casino and card rooms).

An earlier version of the tax package advanced by the Florida House of Representatives included a small section tacked onto the end of the bill that would have maintained $27.5 million in annual purse subsidies at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, but would have stripped out the FTBOA as a receiving or administering entity for that money.

Last year, the state legislature funneled $5 million specifically towards the FTBOA in breeding and racing incentives and promotions. While this year's direct appropriation to the FTBOA is $2 million, the budget includes a combined $7.5 million for the tracks to use as purses and purses supplements specifically for Florida-bred and sired horses.

In a Monday statement, FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell singled out leaders in the Florida Senate for their “ongoing support” of the state's Thoroughbred breeding industry.

“Were it not for key Senate allies, Florida's breeding program would be in a precarious position. We are thankful that Thoroughbred breeding remains a priority in Florida. With Governor Desantis's approval today, Florida will continue to develop top-quality horses, while protecting the important and historic economic, agricultural, and cultural legacy of our state's Thoroughbred breeding industry.

“Today's additional state investment affirms the racetracks' responsibility to the Florida industry. We anticipate benefits to our breeders as purse incentives drive up market values for the second most valuable state-breds in the nation,” Powell added.

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Percy's Bar (Upstart) set the mark high when she ran home a winner in the Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs on Sunday.

Posting a debut score by four lengths this past spring at Keeneland, the filly came into this race with a strong series of morning works under rider Luan Machado. Made a 3-1 shot with some tough company to contend with here, she watched the race unfold after the break behind a :21.29 opening quarter. Making an eye-catching sweep through the turn, she sailed by her rivals and rolled away from them all to win easily. Jaboss (Classic Empire) claimed second while 'TDN Rising Star' Color Comin' In (Rock Your World) picked up third.

The winner is her unraced dam's second to the races. A half-sister to a pair of stakes winners in Simply Spiteful (Speightstown) and Praetereo (Giant's Causeway), plus GISP Defense Wins (Flatter) and GSP Dawn's Charm (Hard Spun), Honestly Deb is responsible for 3-year-old filly in-training Citizen Judy (American Freedom) and she produced a filly by Cairo Prince last year. She was bred to Upstart once again for this past spring. Percy's Bar is part of an extended female family which includes MGSW Tasha's Miracle (Harlan's Holiday).

DEBUTANTE S., $225,000, Churchill Downs, 6-29, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:09.71, ft.
1–PERCY'S BAR, 120, f, 2, by Upstart
                1st Dam: Honestly Deb, by Super Saver
                2nd Dam: Deb's Charm, by Silver Charm
                3rd Dam: Ms. Cuvee Napa, by Relaunch
($52,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Hat Creek Racing; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Ben Colebrook; J-Luan Machado. $135,245. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $187,558.
2–Jaboss, 118, f, 2, Classic Empire–Indy Takes Charge, by Take Charge Indy. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Maribeth Sandford LLC (KY); T-Christopher Davis. $43,950.
3–Color Comin' In, 120, f, 2, Rock Your World–Sleepless Dixie, by Dixie Union. ($9,000 RNA Wlg '23 KEENOV; $11,000 Ylg '24 OBSOCT; $100,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-CKDS Racing Stable, LLC; B-Tomislav Mitrovski (KY); T-Norm Casse. $21,975.
Margins: 5, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 3.44, 43.61, 5.18.
Also Ran: Americathegreat, Lilies N Paradise, Light Won Up, Essential Coffee, Mine Strike. Scratched: Vajra.

PERCY'S BAR ($8.88) served up a winning run in the $225,000 Debutante Stakes at @ChurchillDowns. @colebrookstable conditions the two-year-old by @AirdrieStud's Upstart. @luanmachado85 piloted the filly. pic.twitter.com/0loEqBwtrL

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 29, 2025

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Following the news of his passing, tributes  to legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas poured in from across the industry Sunday.

“A four-time winner of the Kentucky Derby, today we lost one of the great champions of Churchill Downs and one of the most significant figures in Thoroughbred racing over the last 50 years. We will miss his humor, his wisdom and his unmatched capacity to thrill the fans with the performances of his horses on our sport's biggest days.”

Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated

“D. Wayne Lukas was a legend–a masterful trainer with passion, attention to detail and a tireless pursuit of success, as well as a mentor whose barn produced a number of racing's most successful trainers. His impact at Keeneland–where he was a presence for nearly 50 years–is not likely to be seen again.

“Since buying his first horse here in 1977, he influenced yearling sales through his emphasis on conformation and body type, while affecting the way horses were bred and prepped to produce yearlings that would appeal to him. After Wayne won his first Keeneland race in 1980, he set numerous records during our Spring and Fall Meets and across the country with a powerful stable of runners, many of which he and his clients had purchased here.

“On behalf of Keeneland, we extend our deepest condolences to Wayne's wife, Laurie, and his entire family.”

Shannon Arvin, Keeneland President and CEO

“The Maryland Jockey Club mourns the loss of legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a true titan of Thoroughbred racing. His unmatched accomplishments, unwavering dedication, and enduring influence on the sport have left an indelible mark on racing history. With seven wins in the Preakness Stakes, D. Wayne was not only a champion on the track, but a mentor and inspiration to generations of horsemen and women. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire racing community. His legacy will forever be part of Maryland Racing and the Preakness Stakes.”

Bill Knauf, President and General Manager of TMJC

“Along with the Thoroughbred racing community, the team at Breeders' Cup Limited mourns the passing of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

“From the inaugural 1984 running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, where he saddled three starters, to the 2024 edition, where he sent out his last Breeders' Cup contender, Wayne set the bar with his constant pursuit of the pinnacle of our great sport.

“At the time of his passing, he held the record for most Breeders' Cup wins by a trainer with 20, an achievement matched in 2024 by Aidan O'Brien. For 14 years, from 1983 to 1997, he was the trainer with the most Breeders' Cup earnings.  His record stands at $22,760,520, with a 20-22-17 record from 169 starters.

“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.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and entire team during this difficult time.”

Breeders' Cup Limited

“The Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association joins with our colleagues across the country and the entire racing community in mourning the passing of one of the most iconic and influential horsemen in our sport's history–D. Wayne Lukas.

“Much has already been said and written about his extraordinary life, but simply put, he was a transformational figure in the modern era of Thoroughbred racing. His competitive spirit, professionalism, and unmatched record of success made him a household name well beyond the racetrack–one of the few in our industry recognized across all of sports.

“Coach was a horseman of remarkable skill and unwavering integrity. He never courted controversy, once saying, “Just tell me the rules and I'll follow them.” That philosophy, paired with his drive and vision, helped shape generations of horses, horsemen, and fans.

“It is difficult to imagine a Triple Crown or Breeders' Cup without his presence.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his family and all those who had the privilege of learning from and working alongside him.”

Alan M. Foreman, Chairman/CEO Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association

“Our thoughts are with the Lukas family and the countless others that have been fortunate enough to know the Coach.

“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.”

Tom Rooney, President and CEO of National Thoroughbred Racing Association

“1/ST joins the entire Thoroughbred community in mourning the loss of Hall of Fame legend D. Wayne Lukas. With a career that spanned seven decades and redefined excellence, Wayne  stood as a true icon of the sport.

“Throughout his storied career, Wayne's notable accomplishments included: 20 Breeders' Cup victories, including the 1999 Breeders' Cup Classic at Gulfstream Park with Cat Thief; 15 Triple Crown race winners, including seven Preakness Stakes triumphs; Four Santa Anita Derby wins at Santa Anita Park; Two Florida Derby wins at Gulfstream Park; In 2024, at 88 years old, he became the oldest trainer ever to win a Triple Crown race, securing the 149th Preakness Stakes with Seize the Grey.

“Beyond the victories and trophies, Mr. Lukas inspired generations with his relentless work ethic, sharp eye for talent, and unwavering belief in what was possible. His legacy lives on, not only in the horses he trained and the records he broke, but also in the many horsemen and women he mentored and elevated along the way.

1/ST Racing

“D. Wayne Lukas's vision and creativity transformed horse racing forever. He achieved success on a scale without precedent and developed a generation of trainers who continue to shape the future of the sport. New York's racing community and fans will miss Wayne, and we look forward to celebrating his life and legacy this summer at Saratoga Race Course.”

David O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO

“We are heartbroken, but also tremendously grateful that horse racing had Wayne for as long as we did and were able to benefit from his horsemanship, trendsetting, charismatic way of creating new fans, as well as his friendship and mentorship for so many of us.”

Trainer Dale Romans, President Kentucky HBPA

“No one will match what D. Wayne Lukas did in horse racing. Others–and a few already have–may win more Triple Crown races, more Breeders' Cup races, train more champions, win more Grade I races or seasonal earnings. But no one is going to surpass The Coach's intangibles: mentoring, not only those who worked for him, but many others who didn't, providing wise counsel for generations of horsemen. It's unfathomable that anyone will ever match Wayne's “training tree” for assistants who went on to be nationally prominent horsemen, who in turn are producing assistants who go on to prominence. He made white bridles a fashion statement. He understood that mainstream media might not understand the intricacies of horse racing, but they would understand analogies to other sports and their star athletes. Wayne also did other things we all should try to replicate. He took the time and effort to interact with the fans, turning those who happened to be at the races into committed racing enthusiasts. Wayne is in a better place now, with his beloved son, Jeff. We can best honor his memory by trying to do a fraction of what The Coach contributed to horse racing beyond his horses on the racetrack.”

Eric Hamelback, National HBPA CEO

“Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and the countless lives he touched. Though we've lost a legend, the sport he shaped remains richer for his presence, and his rich legacy will endure.

“The impact D. Wayne Lukas had on the sport of Thoroughbred racing is one that cannot be encapsulated by words alone. He revolutionized his craft more than any individual in modern times and is directly responsible for the ideologies carried by many of the top horsemen who dominate the industry today. His presence and wisdom transcended any space he entered, be it the racetrack, the winner's circle, or the public auction arena.

“He forever changed the industry and, most importantly, he indelibly changed lives. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who loved him.

Ocala Breeders' Sales Company

“D. Wayne Lukas was a legendary trainer, mentor, and a dear friend. His integrity, passion, and devotion to his horses inspired everyone around him. I'll always be grateful for the time we shared. The Kentucky Derby Museum mourns with his family and with the entire racing community, and we are honored to be forever connected to Wayne's legacy.”

Patrick Armstrong, Kentucky Derby Museum President & CEO

The post Industry Pays Tribute to D. Wayne Lukas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

One of the most iconic personalities in horse racing and a man that helped transform the face of the industry over the past half a century, D. Wayne Lukas passed away at his home in Louisville Saturday night from complications from a severe infection. He was 89.

Lukas is survived by wife Laurie, grandchildren Brady Wayne Lukas (Dani) and Kelly Roy (David) and great grandchildren Johnny Roy, Thomas Roy, Walker Wayne Lukas and Quinn Palmer Lukas.

A statement from Lukas's family released Sunday, read, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, grandfather, and great-grandfather, D. Wayne Lukas, who left this world peacefully yesterday evening at the age of 89, surrounded by family.

“Wayne devoted his life, not only to horses, but to the industry–developing generations of horsemen and horsewomen and growing the game by inviting unsuspecting fans into the winner's circle. Whether he was boasting about a maiden 2-year-old as the next Kentucky Derby winner or offering quiet words of advice before a big race, Wayne brought heart, grace, and grit to every corner of the sport.

“His final days were spent at home in Kentucky, where he chose peace, family, and faith. As we grieve at his passing, we find peace in knowing he is now reunited with his beloved son, Jeff, whose memory he carried in his heart always.

“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from all corners of the racing community–from racetracks across the country to lifelong friends and respected rivals, and from fans who never missed a post parade when 'Lukas' was listed in the program.”

A private service will be held for immediate family, with a larger celebration of life to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Oaklawn or Churchill Backside Chaplaincy or the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

Lukas registered his final career victory on at Churchill Downs June 12 with 4-year-old Tour Player, who was quite fittingly transferred to Lukas by his close friend and fellow Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, whose wife Jill owned the son of American Pharoah.

During his meteoric ascent through the 1980s and 90's, the public became very well acquainted with Lukas's celebrity image–highlighted by his trademark aviators, expensive suits and his legendary silver tongue. He held court with the rich and famous, presided over the press like a seasoned politician and at times, turned that silver tongue into a bull whip, lashing back at the often all-consuming and singularly-motivated media. But while he was taking the racing world by storm, flashing that thousand-watt smile after systematically dismantling the nation's toughest competition, Lukas also faced some of the greatest adversity a person could face. Through the highest of highs and most abysmal of lows, Lukas always appeared to move with intensity and purpose.

Among his numerous accomplishments, he collected 15 Classic victories–including four Kentucky Derbies (he won six straight Classics; won all three Classics in 1996 with a different horse). Only behind Baffert (17) in number of Classic wins, Lukas recorded his most recent Triple Crown victory in last year's GI Preakness Stakes with Seize the Grey (Arrogate).

Additionally, Lukas holds a record-equaling 20 Breeders' Cup championships victories, and has trained 26 Eclipse Award winners including three Horse of the Year winners–Lady's Secret (1986), Criminal Type (1990) and Charismatic (1999). Earning four Eclipse Awards as leading trainer (1985-87 and 1994), Lukas surpassed fellow Hall of Famer Charlie Whittingham as the all-time leading money winner in 1988, and was the first trainer whose horses earned more than $100 million (and later $200 million) in purse money. To date, he amassed over $300-million in earnings, in addition to having garnered 4,967 wins, ranking him sixth behind earnings leader and former assistant, Todd Pletcher. The leading North American trainer in earnings on 14 occasions, he was inducted into the National Museums of Racing's Hall of Fame in 1999.

Lukas's roster of past Thoroughbred champions, Classic heros and Grade I winners includes a veritable who's who of racing's elite: Effervescing, Terlingua, Codex, Althea, Capote, Tank's Prospect, Serena's Song, Landaluce, Thunder Gulch, Timber Country, Tabasco Cat, Winning Colors, Lady's Secret, Criminal Type, Charismatic, Grindstone, Twilight Ridge, Family Style, Life's Magic, Capote, Success Express, Sacahuista, Open Mind, Is It True, Gulch, Steinlen (GB), Flanders, Boston Harbor, Cat Thief, Cash Run, Commendable, Spain, Orientate, Folklore. While Lukas's horsemanship, discipline and dedication gave his contemporaries something to respect and, even fear, it was the early lessons learned along the bush tracks of Wisconsin that molded him into the man that would eventually change the modern face of racing.

Born on Sept. 2, 1935, Darrell Wayne Lukas grew up on his family's 10-acre farm, located just outside of Antigo, Wisconsin. Lukas didn't appear to be poised for a career in the horse racing industry, much less a place in racing's Hall of Fame. With no ties to the horse industry within at least five generations of his family tree, he was the second of three children to, Ted Lukas–a son of Czechoslovakian immigrants– drove heavy construction equipment and delivered milk, and his mother Bea, descended from English and Irish ancestors who had migrated to Wisconsin from Lexington.

Honing his skills as a future entrepreneur, the young Lukas delivered papers aboard his white pony, Queenie, and sold rabbits on Antigo's Main Street and planted (and harvested) string beans on land leased from his uncle. His passion for the four-legged creatures flourished, and by the time he was nine years old, he was buying and selling horses at local auctions. During his teenage years, Lukas and childhood friend Clyde Rice continued to develop their skills in sales' ring, buying wild horses brought in the Dakotas that were destined for the slaughter house, and reselling them for a profit after getting them sales ready.

While attending the University of Wisconsin as a young man, Lukas became a serious student of basketball, spending weekdays studying toward a degree in Physical Education, and hitting the road on weekends in search of more horses to buy.

Wayne Lukas as a young man with his pony, Queenie | Lukas Family Photo

Following his graduation, he taught for two years before returning to the University of Wisconsin to get his Master's Degree. He later became the head basketball coach at Logan High in la Crosse, Wisconsin, while continuing to trade and train Quarter Horses. During his summer breaks, Lukas would travel to Park Jefferson racetrack outside Sioux City, Iowa, and quickly rose through the Quarter Horse ranks, ultimately developing 24 Quarter Horse champions, including AQHA Hall of Famer Dash for Cash. In addition to his staggering success in the Quarter Horse world, Lukas began simultaneously training Thoroughbreds in the early 1970s, and by 1978, decided to make a complete transition to Thoroughbreds. Lukas is the sole trainer to be in both the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Hall of Fame.

“I came over from Los Alamitos with four horses,” the trainer previously told the TDN. “Two were maiden claimers, one of which I made into a stakes winner–Effervescing–whose career was supposedly over and was sold as a stud. I also had a 2-year-old filly named Terlingua.”

For Lukas, Effervescing won the grassy GII American H. on July 4 in 1978, and came back five days later to win the GI Citation H. on the dirt. Terlingua went on to collect three graded stakes while under Lukas's tutelage, including the GII Del Mar Debutante S. and GII Hollywood Lassie S.

Once the die was cast, Lukas proved unstoppable. The next two decades furnished Team Lukas with a long list of Thoroughbreds, and people, who would propel Lukas to unprecedented heights. Famously known for his success with the fairer set, he would go on to condition five fillies who would ultimately make it into horse racing's Hall of Fame–Lady's Secret (Horse of the Year and Ch. Older Female in 1986; inducted in 1992); Winning Colors (Ch. 3yo Filly in 1988; inducted in 2000); Serena's Song (Ch. 3yo Filly in 1995; inducted in 2002); *Azeri (Horse of the Year in 2002, Ch. Older Horse 2002-04; inducted in 2010) (*Previously trained by Laura deSeroux. Michael Paulson's Azeri joined Team Lukas for the 2004 season. For Lukas, she added wins in the GI Apple Blossom H., GI Go for Wand H. and GI Spinster S. for Lukas); and Open Mind (Ch. 2yo and 3yo Filly in 1988 and  1989; inducted in 2011).

It was only fitting that a pair of his famous fillies would achieve two of racing's highest honors. Lukas collected his first Horse of the Year trophy with Lady's Secret, who won 25 of 45 starts for earnings of $3,021,425 through her career, including 15 graded victories–the GI Whitney H. against the boys, GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, GI Beldame S. (2x), GI Maskette S. (2x), GI Shuvee H., GI Santa Margarita Invitational H. and the GI La Canada S.

Only two years later, Lukas would hoist the blanket of roses for the first time after Winning Colors–a strapping daughter of Caro–wired the 1988 renewal of the Kentucky Derby. Unlike Lady's Secret who took time to round into her championship status, the roan inspired tremendous hopes from the onset.

“She was an eight; that's really up there,” said Lukas, who employed a grading system of 1-10 when rating sales' prospects. “Seven is a buy, eight you have to have, and nine you give up your first born and all your possessions.”

Dubbed 'The Amazon' by the press, Winning Colors won the GI Santa Anita Oaks before crushing the boys in the GI Santa Anita Derby.

“Of all the Kentucky Derby starters I've had, and I've had four of them, that was the most confident I ever was heading into the race,” said Lukas. “I was really confident. And we didn't make any bones about it, we said, 'Look, we're going to the lead, if anybody wants to go with us, just get in there and see how we get along.”

Making good on that claim, jockey Gary Stevens took Winning Colors to the front early in the 10-furlong affair, and the duo made ever pole a winning one as the filly became the first to prevail since 1980 Derby winner Genuine Risk and only the third in history.

In recent years, Lukas remained adamant that a sixth maiden should have joined the others in the Hall of Fame and that was the ill-fated Landaluce, a brilliant daughter of Triple Crown hero Seattle Slew who won all five lifetime starts, including the GI Del Mar Debutante and GI Oak Leaf before succumbing to a viral infection and ultimately died in Lukas's arms on Dec. 11, 1982.

Trainer D Wayne Lukas with Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors prior to the 1988 Preakness Stakes | Horsephotos

While the quality stock wasn't the same in the last decade as it had been in the preceding ones, Lukas proved that he could still train with the best of them, winning the 2022 edition of the GI Kentucky Oaks with Secret Oath (Arrogate).

Lukas recognized the importance of his top fillies to the overall success of the Lukas empire over the past five decades.

“I think it is significant, and it said a lot about our program,” said previously Lukas. “It said a lot about what we were able to achieve. They were all special and all made an impact in where we went and what we accomplished. The clientele that came in behind them; they were certainly influenced by those horses. After the successes of Lady's Secret and Winning Colors, another group of owners came in. The fillies were very significant to us.”

Not to be outshone by the Lukas-trained damsels, the colts that represented Team Lukas also proved a powerful force to be reckoned with. Among Lukas's most notable runners are 1990 Horse of the Year and Ch. Older Horse Criminal Type; Charismatic, who won the 1999 Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. enroute to a Horse of the Year and 3-year-old championships; and Classic scorers Thunder Gulch (1995 Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont S.; '95 Ch. 3yo Colt) and Timber Country (1995 Preakness; Ch. 2yo Colt '94).

Also included among the long list of stalwarts that the Hall of Famer felt ranked among his very best is Saratoga Six. Named for the six investors in the $2.2-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling graduate, the son of Alydar won four straight, including the Balboa S. and GI Del Mar Futurity, but was injured soon after that career high victory.

Lukas recalled that Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr. thought equally high of the colt.

He recalled, “Cordero once said Saratoga Six did things he couldn't believe a racehorse could do.”

Among the most colorful characters involved in Lukas's ascension was Eugene Klein, former owner of the San Diego Chargers. For Klein, Lukas conditioned Hall of Fame starlets Lady's Secret, Open Mind and Winning Colors. Klein, a founding partner of the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics and one-time chairman of the insurance and entertainment company National General Corp., owned the San Diego Chargers from 1966 through 1984.

Several other owners also helped Lukas scale the heights of success over the years, including W.T. Young's Overbrook Farm, Bob and Beverly Lewis, and Michael Tabor, owner of Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Thunder Gulch. For Overbrook, Lukas campaigned champion juveniles Timber Country (1994), Flanders (1994), Golden Attraction (1995) and Boston Harbor (1996). He was also responsible for Eclipse Award-winning sophomore filly Surfside and Classic winners Tabasco Cat (owned in partnership with David Reynolds), Timber Country (owned in partnership with the Lewises and Gainesway), Grindstone and Editor's Note. Among the standouts conditioned by Lukas on behalf of the Lewises were Hall of Famer Serena's Song, Derby and Preakness hero Charismatic and Belmont winner Commendable. For the couple he also trained Breeders' Cup winners Folklore and Orientate.

Famously known for his meticulous nature and his desire to mentor subsequent generations, Lukas was never one to look back unless it served to yield a better result in the future. 'The Coach' was arguably best known his penchant for organization and unyielding discipline.

“The days of the guy sitting outside a stall whittling and spitting tobacco are gone,” Lukas reflected. “And what's wrong with getting a three-piece suit and a sharp tie, and dealing with these corporate guys and having the barn look like a million bucks?”

And it was the supporting crew that held ranks under Lukas that fanned the flames of the operation's wildfire success. Very few Thoroughbred trainers have been as closely identified with the people who have emerged from their camps as has Lukas and his former assistants. Chief among them is Lukas's son, Jeff, who sustained severe head injuries in December of 1993 after the fiery-tempered Tabasco Cat (Storm Cat) broke loose after a morning work out on the Santa Anita backside, and knocked down the then 36-year-old horseman. He was in a coma for a month and was never able to fulfill the promise he demonstrated as an assistant to his father.

“Jeff Lukas is the best trainer that is not in the Hall of Fame,” Lukas told TDN.

Fittingly, things appeared to come full circle for the program when Lukas's 1987 record of 92 stakes wins was broken by Todd Pletcher (assistant from 1989-95) in 2006. Pletcher also surpassed his former mentor in lifetime earnings in 2014 and became the first Thoroughbred trainer to attain the $300 million mark in 2015, and subsequently became the first trainer to attain the $400-and $500-million marks. As of June 22, Pletcher led all active trainers with over $504,909,070 in lifetime earnings.

“They were all great young guys,” Lukas said. “I chose a lot of good racehorses, but I think my legacy in life will be that I chose a lot of very good people.”

While the names and the number of championships, the titles and awards may fade with the passing of time and the emergence of new generations, Lukas believes his legacy will continue through what he believes to be among his most significant of accomplishments–the former assistants who apprenticed under him. Led by Pletcher, the enviable roster included Kiaran McLaughlin, Dallas Stewart, Mike Maker, Mark Hennig, Randy Bradshaw, George Weaver, Mike Marlow and Will B. Van Meter. All the horses under Lukas' care have been transferred to his veteran assistant Sebastian “Bas” Nicholl, it was announced Sunday.

D Wayne Lukas at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew

“We tried to raise the bar a little bit,” Lukas offered. “Many gave us credit for changing the game. We showed people you can have horses coast to coast, run them everywhere and get them to perform where they fit best. Also, after being a basketball coach for 10 years, I couldn't help myself but teach.”

Lukas retained many of the hallmarks that have become entrenched in racing lore throughout the decades, however, a closer look at the man behind the shades revealed a deeper dimension. While famously known for his meticulous nature and his desire to mentor subsequent generations, Lukas also demonstrated an unwavering positivity and enthusiasm for a business that he spent a lifetime supporting and more importantly, defining.

“I like to think that I imparted something of value to those young people,” he said. “Having said that, I think [my former assistants] were going to be successful if they had never met me, but maybe I pushed them along a little quicker. It was the appearance of the barn and the horses, a lot of the little things that go unnoticed, that helped make a difference. But I also tried to change those kids' lives.”

The post Hail to the King: Hall of Fame Trainer D. Wayne Lukas Passes at 89 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.