Wayne's Double Triple

Wayne’s Double Triple

Joseph Di Rienzi

29 April 2017

Wayne Lukas
(www.nj.com)

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas has had one of the greatest impacts on thoroughbred racing in the United States in the latter half of the 20^th century. From the early 1980’s through 2000, he was by far the dominant trainer in North America. Establishing effectively a national stable, Lukas had horses racing in multiple venues. Willing to ship across country, his stable of runners was able to take advantage of lucrative purses. The trademark “white bridle” of his trainees was seen in the winner’s circle of this country’s most prestigious races. His influence was particularly felt in two year-old races, classics, and on Breeders’ Cup Day.  With a core of highly talented assistants, Wayne could serve as a CEO of his training establishment. His top assistant was his son, Jeff, who in the eyes of many observers, was an equal partner in the fabulous success of the Lukas stable. Other assistants such as, Mark Hennig, Kiaran McLaughlin, and above all, Todd Pletcher have gone on to great success in their own training careers. To recapitulate Wayne Lukas’ training achievements is beyond the scope of this piece. What I would like to do is recapture a singular achievement he accomplished in winning six consecutive Triple Crown races from 1994 to 1996 with four different horses.

In early 1994, Wayne Lukas was preparing a headstrong colt for a classic campaign. Overbrook Farm and David P. Reynolds’ Tabasco Cat had ended his two year-old season with a third place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The burnished chestnut son of Storm Cat would accomplish much more in 1994, however, his name will always be associated with an accident that severely injured Jeff Lukas and ultimately altered the balance of power of American trainers. A loose Tabasco Cat ran into Jeff Lukas in December 1993 and caused head injuries so extensive that he could never rejoin his father full time. Without his son’s tireless work on the backstretch or at race centers, Wayne Lukas, would eventually lose his dominance, as his assistants (see above) gradually siphoned off owners to launch their own successful training careers. (In a footnote to this history, Jeff Lukas passed away in May 2016 at the age of 58.)

Tabasco Cat began 1994 with two stakes victories in California. In January, he prevailed by a length in the El Camino Real Derby and in early March won the San Rafael Stakes by the same margin. The Santa Anita Derby contained Tabasco Cat, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, Brocco and a lightly raced newcomer to stakes competition Strodes Creek in the six horse field. Down the stretch the compact but powerfully built Tabasco Cat and the taller and longer Brocco dueled; the latter edging clear by ¾ of a length at the finish. Strodes Creek, who seemed still inexperienced, closed some ground late to be third, 1 length back. The final time was good, and the performances by the first three finishers were strong enough to merit all going forward to the Derby.

There was a widespread belief that this year’s edition of the Kentucky Derby had a deep and talented field of fourteen starters. The headline matchup was the vaunted Holy Bull from the East vs. Brocco from the West. However, there were other secondary contenders that merited strong consideration such as Tabasco Cat, Strodes Creek, Go for Gin, Valiant Nature and Soul of the Matter. At post time, Holly Bull was the solid favorite over Brocco with Tabasco Cat and Strodes Creek the third and fourth choices, respectively. All the pre-race predictions and strategy went by the wayside when conditions made for a sloppy racetrack. The start was also eventful in that Go for Gin bore out bumping Tabasco Cat. Holy Bull was off slowly and found himself in an uncomfortable position behind a wall of horses heading for the first turn. At the front of that wall was Go for Gin, who soon opened a clear lead racing near the middle of the racetrack (the driest). His jockey Chris McCarron allowed him to drift out in the stretch as only Strodes Creek mounted a serious challenge. At the finish, Go for Gin was 2 lengths in front of Strodes Creek with Blumin Affair, 2½ lengths behind in third place. Brocco was another ¾ of a length further back in fourth. Tabasco Cat finished sixth, Holy Bull, a shocking twelfth and Valiant Nature finished thirteenth.

In the aftermath of the Derby, estimations of the quality of the year’s sophomore crop were deflated. The two pre-race favorites, Holy Bull and Brocco did not go on to the Preakness Stakes. The Derby second, Strodes Creek, was reserved for the Belmont Stakes. The Preakness did have Go for Gin and Derby participants Blumin’ Affair (third), Tabasco Cat (sixth) and Powis Castle (eighth). Among the non-Derby runners were Numerous who had won the Derby Trial Stakes, Louisiana Derby winner, Kandaly, and Robert E. Meyerhoff’s “local hope” Concern.

On a fast, but dull Pimlico surface, Go for Gin was favored in the ten horse field, but strong support was accorded Tabasco Cat whose Derby un-placing was blamed on bumping and the sloppy Churchill track condition. Compared to the roughly run Derby, the Preakness was a gentleman’s affair. Go for Gin broke well and McCarron set him in second place off the early pace. Tabasco Cat under Pat Day, settled in a stalking fourth position while Concern assumed his customary place in last. Halfway down the backstretch, Go for Gin went up to challenge and take the lead. Day eased Tabasco Cat to the outside around the final turn and took chase after the Derby winner. The stretch run was exciting as Tabasco Cat and Go for Gin both fought valiantly with the former gradually gaining a slight advantage that became ¾ of a length at the finish. Go for Gin, in a game effort, easily held second, 6 lengths in front of rallying Concern.

During the presentation of the Preakness trophies, there was some underlying emotion as Tabasco Cat was responsible for Jeff Lukas’ injury. Wayne Lukas, stoic as always, quietly expressed his feeling for his son and the satisfaction of demonstrating Tabasco Cat’s quality. For co-owner David P. Reynolds, a long-time Maryland circuit participant, this Preakness win was a dream come true. For the other owner, William T. Young, Tabasco Cat’s victory was another affirmation of the strength of his own stallion, Storm Cat.    

The advance buildup to the Belmont Stakes focused both on the deciding match between the Derby and Preakness winners, and the addition of both Brocco and Strodes Creek, rested and ready for the 1½ mile test. Brocco seemed particularly strong in his Belmont workouts, and pre-race speculation had him the favorite for the Belmont. However, he bruised a front foot the Thursday before the big race, and Brocco’s connections were unable to relieve all the soreness for him to compete. In his absence, a field of six started in the Belmont Stakes with Strodes Creek the slight favorite over Go for Gin with Tabasco Cat the third betting choice.

After the start, Go for Gin galloped straight to the lead with Tabasco Cat assuming the second position just to his outside. McCarron on Go for Gin allowed his mount to go wide on the clubhouse turn carrying Tabasco Cat with him as Strodes Creek settled on the inside in fourth place. Go for Gin set solid early fractions over the very fast Belmont surface. Down the backstretch, McCarron asked Go for Gin to lengthen his lead, but Pat Day on Tabasco Cat immediately took up the chase while Jerry Bailey was unable to have Strodes Creek keep up with the accelerated pace. Around the far turn and into the stretch, the race was between Go for Gin and Tabasco Cat. Visions of a repeat of the tense Preakness finish, dissipated as Tabasco Cat readily drew clear for a 2 length victory in a fast final time. The Derby winner, showing his heart, held second by ½ length over Strodes Creek who lumbered in third. Tabasco Cat’s Belmont victory completed a Triple Crown “triple” for trainer of Wayne Lukas in that he had previously won both the Derby (Winning Colors in 1988) and Preakness (Codex in 1980 and Tank’s Prospect in 1985).

                                               

Tabasco Cat

                                                                                          

Wayne Lukas appeared to be in a prime position in 1995 in the lead up to the classics. Not only did he train Timber Country, the Two Year-old Champion and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner of 1994, but he also was preparing Serena’s Song, a top leading juvenile filly for a run at the males. Timber Country was a long legged dark chestnut son of Woodman out of a very strong female family that was purchased as a yearling for $500,000 by the partnership of Gainesway Farm, Overbrook Farm and Rob and Beverly Lewis. Owned solely by Bob and Beverly Lewis, Serena’s Song, on the other hand, was on the small side, but well conformed. To add to his already imposing stable, Thunder Gulch, a compact but powerfully built son of Gulch was purchased by Michael Tabor in the fall of 1994 and turned over to Lukas to train.

Wayne Lukas sent Thunder Gulch to Florida for his early prep races. In the Fountain of Youth Stakes, Thunder Gulch showed what would be his trademark toughness in coming slightly off the pace for a neck victory over Suave Prospect. In the Florida Derby, Nick Zito ran a three horse entry (Suave Prospect, Star Standard and Kresa) against Thunder Gulch, but the result was still same, albeit, tighter with Thunder Gulch winning by a nose over Suave Prospect. The close finishes and the so-so final times of both the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby did not dispel the idea that Lukas has stronger Derby contenders back in California, one of which was a filly.

Lukas started Serena’s Song against her own gender, and she was a 2 length winner of the Santa Ynez Breeders’ Cup Stakes. Next was the 1 mile Las Virgenes Stakes, in which Serena’s Song prevailed again by a 1¼ length margin. In the ½ furlong longer Santa Anita Oaks, Serena’s Song took a clear lead in the upper stretch and gamely held off Urbane’s rally to win by a head. With these consecutive victories, Wayne Lukas was ready to test Serena’s Song against males.

Timber Country began his campaign in the San Rafael Stakes where he found the mile distance too short for his stretch kick or two horses too fast in losing by 2 lengths. The winner, Larry the Legend, was an Illinois bred, re-purchased in a California two year-old sale to dissolve a partnership for $2,500. The San Felipe Handicap featured the two pre-Derby favorites Timber Country and Burt Bacharach’s brilliant and undefeated Afternoon Deelites. Pace conditions and a slight weight advantage (3 lb.) were all in Afternoon Deelites’ favor, and he went off the overwhelming favorite. The Bacharach colt assumed the lead from the two front runners around the far turn, drew clear and then was able to hold off Timber Country’s charge to win by 1 length.

Presumably, the Santa Anita Derby would clarify leadership as the two San Felipe principals returned joined in the eight horse field by Larry the Legend. This time Afternoon Deelites was the slight favorite over Timber Country with Larry the Legend the distant third choice. In the upper stretch, Afternoon Deelites pulled clear on the way to an apparent victory. However, at the furlong pole the son of Private Terms started shortening his stride, and Larry the Legend re-rallied after having been passed. In a very close finish, the upstart gained the victory by a head over the erstwhile super star. Timber Country slowly made up ground on the leaders to finish fourth but only beaten about a total of 1½ lengths. The final time was good, but the final part was run slowly, attesting to the conclusion that Afternoon Deelites lost the race, rather than Larry the Legend having won it.   

In the starting gate for the 9 furlong Jim Beam Stakes at Turfway Park was Serena’s Song, testing the waters at the distance and against male foes. Sent off the favorite, the filly bounded out of the gate on top and led all the way in one of the most impressive performances to date by her generation. Tejano Run put in a good closing rally to be second 3½ lengths back. After the Jim Beam, Lukas was ambivalent about “Serena’s” next start, but obviously the goal was to run in either the Kentucky Oaks or save her for the feature race on the following day at Churchill Downs.

The Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland featured the Florida combatants Thunder Gulch and Suave Prospect along with Tejano Run and three others. One of those “others”, Wild Syn, produced a 30-1 upset, leading all the way while setting a slow pace and fighting off several challenges. At the finish, he was 2½ lengths in front of Suave Prospect who was a head in front of Tejano Run. Thunder Gulch, the favorite, was up near the pace early, but he showed no rally in finishing fourth beaten a total of 4½ lengths. As a result of Thunder Gulch’s flat effort, Mike Smith, who rode him in his two Florida victories, opted to ride Wood Memorial winner Talkin Man in the Kentucky Derby.

The buildup to the Kentucky Derby had the usual additions and subtractions. Larry the Legend’s time near the front of the classic contenders’ list was short lived in that he suffered a bone chip as the result of his winning effort in the Santa Anita Derby that required surgery.  (As a consequence, Gary Stevens, “Larry’s” regular rider accepted the mount on Thunder Gulch that Mike Smith had vacated.) Wayne Lukas on a nationally televised broadcast announced that Serena’s Song would bypass the Kentucky Oaks and be entered in the Kentucky Derby.

The 121^st Kentucky Derby had a field of nineteen and presented a real puzzle. There was general consensus that there was quality in the field, but no single horse was coming in with impeccable credentials. Wayne Lukas saddled three: the entry of Timber Country and Serena’s Song (the Lewis’s owned part of the former and all of the latter), and Thunder Gulch. Timber Country had the looks, breeding and had run his best race at Churchill Downs in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. However, he had lost his last 3 starts. Serena’s Song was streaking, however, her “need the lead” running style might be compromised by the early pace. Thunder Gulch’s flat performance in the Blue Grass made him the forgotten horse in the Lukas pantheon. At post-time, the Timber Country-Serena’s Song entry was the slight choice over Talkin Man with Jumron, Tejano Run and Afternoon Deelites the only others with single digit odds. Thunder Gulch was dismissed at 24-1.

On a very fast racetrack, the pace was rapid with Serena’s Song sent flying for the lead, chased by Wild Syn, Citadeed and Talkin Man. Down the backstretch, a wall of contenders gathered around the filly’s wake that included, in addition to those mentioned earlier, Afternoon Deelites and Thunder Gulch. Around the stretch turn, Talkin Man made his move inside Serena’s Song, whereas Gary Stevens guided Thunder Gulch outside her. Once in the stretch, the son of Gulch, showing his stamina, pulled away as both Talkin Man and Serena’s Song retreated. The closers Tejano Run, Jumron and Timber Country vied for the minor honors. At the finish, Thunder Gulch was 2¼ lengths in front of Tejano Run who was a head in front of Timber County who was rallying between horses. Serena’s Song, exhausted by her early efforts, finished sixteenth. The final time was fast, attributed to the track condition and hot early pace.

This victory was the second Derby for the Wayne Lukas – Gary Stevens duo, having won with Winning Colors in 1988. For Michael Tabor, who had so much success in Europe with his partners at Coolmore, this was his first U. S. classic win.  Finally, Thunder Gulch’s breeding was confirmation that the brilliance of a sire such as Gulch, who was not a 1¼ mile horse (he finished sixth in the 1987 Derby), coupled with stamina from a female family (the second dam, Shoot a Line (GB) was an Oaks winner in England and Ireland) can produce a classic winner.

As was becoming the rule, the Preakness Stakes, two weeks after the Derby, produced a much less contentious field. Every year, hopes raised in preparing for the first classic give way to resignation after a poor performance on the first Saturday in May. Perceptions of a deep quality crop of three year-olds seem to evaporate after the 1¼ mile Derby. Left for the other two classics is the Derby winner, some Derby returnees and a few new faces to the Triple Crown series. The first three finishers in the Kentucky Derby made the trip to Baltimore for the Preakness along with Talkin Man and Mecke. Serena’s Song did run at Pimlico, but it was on the Friday before the Preakness in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes winning by 9 lengths. The Preakness’ new faces included Star Standard, winner of the Lexington Stakes and a Maryland horse, Oliver’s Twist. The betting public went back to Timber Country and Talkin Man as the first and second choice, respectively, relegating the Derby winner, Thunder Gulch to the third betting favorite.

As the eleven horse field left the starting gate, Mystery Storm and Star Standard vied for the lead, followed by Talkin Man. Oliver’s Twist assumed a good position on the rail in fourth with Thunder Gulch just outside. Timber Country under Pat Day was not far back in sixth, and Tejano Run was seventh. The positions were unchanged around the far turn as both Talkin Man and Thunder Gulch went up to challenge the leaders and Oliver’s Twist looked for racing room on the inside. At the same time, Timber Country made a sweeping move around the stretch turn. In the straight, the lead changed quickly as first Mystery Storm, then Star Standard faltered. Briefly challenging for the lead, Talkin Man was once again unable to maintain his momentum. For a moment, a huge upset loomed as Oliver’s Twist burst through the inside. However, Pat Day had Timber Country in full stride and he closed impressively to win by ½ length over the local hope. Thunder Gulch was just a neck behind Oliver’s Twist in a game effort.

Despite Thunder Gulch’s defeat, Wayne Lukas was very happy in validating his high opinion of Timber Country. It was clear throughout the lead up and running of the first two classics that even though Timber Country lost his first four races, Lukas still considered the big son of Woodman his best prospect. For the partnership of Gainesway, Overbrook and the Lewis’ a classic win was added to this prospective stallion’s resume. Finally, the Preakness was becoming Pat Day’s private party as he was recording his fourth victory in the middle jewel. 

Having won the Kentucky Derby with Thunder Gulch and the Preakness with Timber Country, the Belmont Stakes appeared to be Wayne Lukas’ for the taking. Most racing analysis thought the 1½ mile distance and sweeping Belmont turns ideal for the long striding Timber Country. However, racing’s ill winds blew his way as the son of Woodman contracted a virus and was scratched, never to race again. In his absence, Thunder Gulch faced a modest field of ten opponents.

Nick Zito had Star Standard ready from his Preakness fourth place finish to try to control the pace under jockey Julie Krone. Driven to the lead from his outside post position, Star Standard set moderate fractions closely tracked by Wild Syn and Thunder Gulch. As Wild Syn dropped back at the ½ mile pole, Gary Stevens had Thunder Gulch engage Star Standard, and the two dueled around the far turn and into the stretch. Both Krone and Stevens asked their mounts for all, but it was Thunder Gulch who proved the stronger, gradually edging away for a 2 length victory. Star Standard was a clear second, 3½ lengths in front of Citadeed. The final time was one of the slowest on record for a Belmont run on a track rated fast. Notwithstanding, Thunder Gulch was now a double crown winner and clearly the leader of his age and sex. The real achiever was Wayne Lukas who at this point, starting with Tabasco Cat’s Preakness of 1994, had trained the winners of five straight classics, including all three this year. 

 

Thunder Gulch

Timber Country

                                                                                                                                                               

In 1996 Wayne Lukas had several contenders for the Triple Crown. His most accomplished at the start of the year was Michael Tabor’s Honour and Glory, a fast son of Relaunch, who appeared to have distance limitations. There was also Peter Mitchell’s Prince of Thieves who was a winner of the Santa Catalina Stakes at Santa Anita. However, both failed in the Santa Anita Derby, questioning their classic potential.

The Louisiana Derby featured another Wayne Lukas trained contender, Grindstone, a son of Unbridled, owned by Overbrook Farm, had only two outings as a two year-old, a maiden win a Belmont and then a close fourth place finish in the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs. Away from the races since July 1, 1995, Grindstone resurfaced at Santa Anita on February 16, 1996 to finish second beaten 3 lengths in an allowance race. Sent to New Orleans, Grindstone, under Jerry Bailey showed a strong stretch kick to win by 3½ lengths over Louisiana bred, Zarb’s Magic. Staying down south for the Arkansas Derby, Grindstone ran another strong race, but this time could not pass Zarb’s Magic, losing by a neck.

Most of the talk leading up to the Kentucky Derby involved the favorite Unbridled’s Song. The brilliant long legged son of Unbridled had won the 1995 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in his third start. He had brushed off losses in two races at Gulfstream Park with convincing wins in both the Florida Derby and Wood Memorial Stakes.  After getting an acrylic patch for an injured hoof, he developed a bruise and possibly an infection. Veterinarians and farriers performed various procedures all under the supervision of Unbridled’s Song’s beleaguered trainer, Jim Ryerson. With bar shoes on both front feet he worked a fast ½ mile the Wednesday before the Derby and was deemed fit to run. (A further strike against Unbridled’s Song was he drew the number 20 post position, which at that time was considered a disadvantage.)

With the questions surrounding Unbridled’s Song many of the others in the nineteen horse field (there was one scratch) felt they had legitimate chances. Wayne Lukas had five entrants: the Overbrook Farm coupling of Editor’s Note and Grindstone, Michael Tabor’s entry of Honour and Glory and Victory Speech (owned with Mrs. John Magnier), and Peter Mitchell’s Prince of Thieves. Sonny Hine had his own Skip Away, and Bob Baffert saddled both Cavonnier and Semoran. Twice Derby winner, Nick Zito brought both Louis Quatorze and Diligence to the race.

In a dramatic renewal, Honor and Glory went right to the lead. Unbridled’s Song broke well from his far outside post and ranged up third around the far turn. Down the backstretch, Unbridled’s Song cruised up beside Honour and Glory with Cavonnier right behind the early leaders in fifth place. The early pace was fast, and it was clear the front group would pay a price for their early efforts. Around the far turn, Unbridled’s Song put Honour and Glory away and looked for the moment as if he would draw away to a magnificent, improbable victory. However, the injury, the pace or the distance caught up with him, and he started shortening stride after going wide around the turn. Halo Sunshine and Cavonnier together passed the tired leader in mid-stretch, and Craig Perret, riding the former, accidently struck the latter on the nose as they battled together. Near the finish Cavonnier pulled clear and seemed on his way to Derby glory when Jerry Bailey, who had guided Grindstone from the latter part of the field through traffic, urged his mount forward and just caught Cavonnier at the finish to win by a nose. Prince of Thieves closed belatedly, 3½ lengths behind, to give Wayne Lukas a 1-3 finish. Halo Sunshine was fourth, a neck behind, and Unbridled’s Song, who, all things considered, ran a courageous race in finishing fifth. Other presumed contenders did not fare as well with Editor’s Note in sixth, Skip Away finishing twelfth, Louis Quatorze, sixteenth and Honour and Glory in eighteenth place.

In the winner’s circle, William T. Young, Kentucky born, received his long sought after Derby trophy. For Wayne Lukas, this was his third Derby and sixth straight classic win dating from Tabasco Cat’s Preakness Stakes victory in 1994. Jerry Bailey, who was acknowledged as the sport’s premier jockey, celebrated his second Derby win having accomplished it before in 1993 with Sea Hero. In Grindstone, Unbridled, (winner of the Run for the Roses in 1990) was siring this year’s winner, but not with the son expected.

Wayne Lukas’ classic streak came to end in the 1996 Preakness Stakes. After the Derby, Grindstone suffered a recurrence of a bone chip that had sidelined him for most of his juvenile season and was retired almost immediately. Lukas ran Prince of Thieves, Editor’s Note and Victory Speech in the Preakness, but the best finish was a third by Editor’s Note behind Louis Quatorze and Skip Away who ran nearly 1-2 around the whole Pimlico oval.

Lukas did have a sort of redemption in the Belmont Stakes when Editor’s Note captured the final jewel of the Triple Crown. The son of Forty Niner made a sustained run around the long Belmont final turn to have only Skip Away ahead of him at the top of stretch. In a protracted battle, Editor’s Note forged ahead in the shadow of the finish to prevail by 1 length. So, Wayne Lukas was back in the winner’s circle after his classic win streak was stopped at six after the Preakness. He would go on (to date) to win another Kentucky Derby (Charismatic in 1999), the Preakness twice (Charismatic in 1999 and Oxbow in 2013) and another Belmont (Commendable in 2000), but from the third week in May 1994 till the second week in June 1996, you saw his familiar smile in the winner’s circle of every American classic.

Grindstone
(www.pinterest.com)