While not attending this year’s Kentucky Derby Coaches Dinner for the May 7 Run for the Roses, trainer D. Wayne Lukas stole the show with a singing video. Praise why The path of purity did not participate in the race. The Quality Sugar Colt, however, made the final cut in the spot posted Monday, adding humor to his tearful regret.
The Trainer’s Dinner, an annual staple of Derby week, is back in Louisville and a packed crowd on May 3 at the Museum of Speed on the University of Louisville campus. Last year’s event was held at the Hermitage ranch and the dinner was not held in 2020. Before that, the event took place for quite a while at the downtown Hyatt hotel.
Lukas also held a long time in the Derby, finishing first in 1981. He is a four-time winner, most recently with Charismatic in 1999.
“I was hoping we could be in this year’s race,” Lukas said while picking up tissues from his barn office. Churchill Downs. “It’s really hard for me to talk about it. I’ll miss it so much. Coach’s dinner has always been one of my favorites. I just couldn’t make it to the race this year… I don’t know if I can handle it. It’s tearing me up. When then they go into the parade and they sing My Old Kentucky Home… whaa I don’t know if I can handle it… ‘Don’t cry, ma’am…’
“And Todd (Coach Pletcher)… I’ve always been great to Todd,” he said. “And here he’s running three (in the race). Chad Brown … we’ve always been close. It wouldn’t be too bad if he got a scratch. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”
Julie Gilbert’s Ethereal Path will break from 20th place and become Lukas’ 50th Derby participant.
Brown did his part, by not participating Vote early Wood Memorial shares presented by Resorts World Casino (G2) runner-up.
“I went in and took one of my horses out for Mr. Lukas,” he said later on the show. “The guy who’s been crying with me all week, this guy. Leaving me weird voicemails; music playing. He’s calling my mom… like a bad breakup. I was step up and lead the horse out.”
“Todd, next year it’s your turn… I didn’t even work for the guy, you did.”
Brown on stage talking about Zandon morning favorites for the Rose Run and Winners KeenelandShares of Toyota Blue Grass (G1).
“This horse…we’ve always loved it. It’s racing the right way. It’s doing everything right and training like a big bear.”
Brown’s best in the Derby falls short of third Triple Crown winner Evenly in the 2018 Derby against Good magic who also opened in Blue Grass.
“We didn’t think we were going to run into a horse that would win the Triple Crown,” Brown said. “I loved the Blue Grass before the Derby; just to get them to Kentucky and take care of all the transportation. Keeneland is a great race track. It feels good to bring a horse to Churchill from there.”
Pletcher, who came under Lukas, had three runner-ups in the Derby: Wooden Winner Mo Donegal Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa Farms (G1) runner-up Charge it and TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) Tuesday Medina’s Pioneers , and has started more horses – 59 – in the Derby than any other coach. He won twice with Super savings in 2010 and Always dreaming in 2017.
Of Mo Donegal, who equaled Derby once after his late goal at Wood, Pletcher said: “I think he has a bit too much work to do. At the top of the lane, I let him down. second place, but he’s a really good horse. He’s professional and straightforward and he won against Remsen (Stakes, G2). I think he’s the type of horse that can handle it.”
On two with 59: “There is a lot of satisfaction in bringing horses here (to the Derby.) Last year Mike Repole sent me the following message. Move one finished the track (18th). That’s probably the nicest message I get after a race. He said this is the first time since the pandemic he can meet and also the first time since his grandmother passed away. He said thank you for the opportunity to do so.
“That’s what the Derby does,” he said. “It’s interesting. No one wants to lose, but there’s also something other than winning.”
Pletcher was on stage afterwards with Steve Asmussen, who coached the Louisiana Derby winner Epicenter and has yet to win a Derby with 23 starts although he has finished second twice and third twice.
“We’re delighted with his (Epiccenter) performance and we’re excited about our chance on Saturday. We’re looking for a good start and we’ll go from there.” , Asmussen said.
“I was expecting to win the previous move and was disappointed. I stand here envious of two Todd’s with 59.”
Earlier in the show, Hallway Feeds presented the winning trophy to last year’s Derby winner Brad Cox, the coach of the Mandaloun who won when eliminated Medina Spirit . According to Lee Hall and Cox, a well-edited video of the race was “very well produced”.
Net proceeds from the event will be used to support the charities behind at Churchill Downs, including the Backside Learning Center.
KTA/KTOB appreciates event sponsors: Hallway Feeds, Anthem, KY Proud, Spendthrift Farm, TwinSpires, Stonestreet Stables, HE Tex Sutton, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Encore, FarmPaint / Tenda, HRRN, NTRA, Paulick Report, Rood & Riddle, Stark Equine Transportation, TDN, Apix, DRF, Claiborne Farm, Coolmore, Crestwood Farm, Hermitage and Three Chimneys.
