Seize The Grey. (Nikki Sherman/EQUI-PHOTO)
• Final Downs After Dark Of The Year Is Saturday
• Sunday Card Features Mandatory Payouts In All Wagers
Darren Rogers/Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As rain fell over Churchill Downs early Friday morning, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas was out on the sloppy track aboard his pony keeping a close eye on his trainees. The wet weather was no deterrent for the excitement surrounding his stable’s top horse, Seize the Grey, who returned to his Churchill Downs base following a front-running victory in Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (Grade I) at Parx.
The win marked the third graded stakes triumph of the season for the 3-year-old colt, who also captured the Preakness Stakes (GI) and Pat Day Mile (GII). Owned by MyRacehorse, Seize the Grey continued to prove himself as one of the top 3-year-olds this year.
“It was super impressive seeing him run as well as he did over the Parx surface being as deep as it was,” Lukas said. “I thought (jockey) Jaime (Torres) did a tremendous job with him. When we went out to the track after the race, I could see they got into it pretty good and it was really deep.”
Lukas, 89, has found great success working with large ownership groups, a journey that began with the Churchill Downs Racing Club and its graded stakes-winning sprinter Warrior’s Club.
“It’s just such a joy seeing so many of these people happy,” Lukas said. “It started a few years ago with the Churchill Downs Racing Club and now with MyRacehorse. It’s just great to be involved.”
Seize the Grey will continue training at Churchill Downs as he prepares for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Lukas reiterated that a decision on whether the colt will run in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) or $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI) on Nov. 2 at Del Mar will be made at a later date.
Final Downs After Dark Of The Year Is Saturday
The final Downs After Dark of the year will take place Saturday as Churchill Downs presents “Oktoberfest” where the spirit of Munich will come to the Twin Spires with an array of local brews from West Sixth Brewing and Gravely Brewing Co in a beer garden; sizzling bratwurst and savory pretzels; lively polka dancing; yodeling contest; live music and world-class horse racing.
Admission gates will open at 5 p.m. and the 11-race program will be conducted between 6-11:10 p.m. and feature the $500,000 Lukas Classic (GII) and $400,000 Ack Ack (GIII).
General admission to Downs After Dark is $20 and includes an official program. Guests under the age of 18 will only be admitted to the track if accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Outdoor box seats range from $28 to $38 per person.
Limited premium dining packages are available starting at $91 per person including our new and exclusive Oktoberfest VIP Package. Experience Churchill Downs like never before in our new Paddock-facing Loges with seating for four or six guests. Each package includes the following per guest: Covered loge seating that overlooks the newly renovated Paddock, a Churchill Downs-branded beer stein and two beer tickets. For the group: a shareable Oktoberfest-themed charcuterie board and a guided Paddock tour.
Sunday Card Features Mandatory Payouts In All Wagers
The September Meet will come to a close Sunday at Churchill Downs and will include mandatory payouts in all wagers including the Derby City 6 Jackpot, which had a one-day carryover of $1,435 into racing Friday.
There were heated battles for the leading connections of the September Meet with jockey Tyler Gaffalione, trainer Steve Asmussen and owner Rigney Racing leading their respective categories.
Gaffalione, who dominated last year’s September Meet, held a 17-14 win lead over Luis Saez prior to racing on Friday. Brian Hernandez Jr. was in third with six victories.
In the trainer standings, Asmussen held a slight 6-5 lead over Brad Cox and Joe Sharp. Phil Bauer, Kenny McPeek and Dallas Stewart were all within striking range, each with four wins.
Richard Rigney’s Rigney Racing held a 4-3 lead over Gervais Racing, who will not have any more runners at the meet. Jay Lieberman, Kaleem Shah Inc., Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm and Fern Circle Stables were tied for third with two wins a piece.
Sunday’s 10-race program has a first post of 12:45 p.m. and the Derby City 6 will span Races 5-10.
