At 86, he has been training longer than many of his colleagues have been active, or evenin some casesalive. When you've got passion for something, you'll stay up all night, go without food, drive, sleep, whatever to get where you want to go. Family: Wife, Laurie; late son, Jeff; two grandchildren D. Wayne Lukas was a lightning rod in Thoroughbred racing after he made the switch from Quarter Horses to Thoroughbreds full time in 1978, but like the aforementioned Riley and Jackson, Lukas for a long stretch was the dominant force in his sport. Lukas said he met Asmussen's grandfather during the early 1960s, some 15 years before they took different paths to immense success in the Thoroughbred industry. Tabasco Cat crashed into Lukas and tossed him into the air; Lukas landed on his back and his head smashed against the ground. Triple Crown Winners, Five Takeaways You Need to Know From the Weekend of Racing, Including Final Stop on Derby Trail, Tapit Trice on Target for Kentucky Derby After Valiant Blue Grass Stakes Victory, 2023 Blue Grass Stakes Cheat Sheet: Get to Know the Horses. Steve Asmussen entered Wednesday with 9,974 career victories in North America. He won his first of14 U.S. classic races with Codex in the 1980 Preakness Stakes, emerged as the dominant force in the Breeders Cup World Championships, and became the first trainer ever to surpass $100 million career earnings, a feat remarkably accomplished in only 13 seasons. His Rebel jockey, Ramon Vazquez, is set to ride again. Burrage returned home from a trip in the early afternoon and was told that Jeff wasnt answering his phone. Keith and Sis Asmussen loved it. Three years later, I understand something more. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. I thought this guy is a miracle worker.. Jeff Lukas, who worked as his father's assistant trainer and was the tenacious right-hand man of the older Lukas, was seriously injured by Lukas' derby hopeful Tabasco Cat in December 1993. His father bought him a home there and Jeff lived a quiet life until his death at age 58 in March 2016. Jeff suffered severe head injuries and lapsed into a coma, though he later recovered. Jeff had begun working for his father when he was in elementary school and. Just another Kodak moment for racing's living legend. I visited with him a little bit and we talked about the sales and stuff and conformation and I really enjoy him. The legendary D. Wayne Lukas, 85, has returned to Oaklawn Park, his winter base for more than a decade, after recently losing another one of his longtime prominent clients in an era of horses. Trainers Steve Asmussen and D. Wayne Lukas chat at Churchill Downs, Horse of the Year Havre de Grace Dies at 16, Confidence Game's Kentucky Derby Entry a 'Celebration', Wild On Ice Euthanized Following Derby Work, Godolphin Returns to Classic Stage With Two in KY Oaks, Commissioner Dan Goes for $500K to Top Keeneland Sale, Rocket Can Blasts Out Final Derby Drill for Mott, Reincarnate to be Starlight's 14th KY Derby Starter, Plus News, Analysis, Entries, Results & Replays, Wolfs Reflect on KY Derby Wins From Justify, Authentic, Three Things You Might Not Know About: Angel Of Empire, Catching Up With Old Friends: Silver Charm, Brad Cox Discusses Oaks Contender Wet Paint, Macadamia Holds off Quattroelle in Wilshire Stakes, Opinion: Gambling White Paper Lacks Real Action. Jeff defeated a brain injury that nearly killed him and lived 22 more years. But I was a commissioner here and on the commission youve got five or six guys that are very, very knowledgeable, including one veterinarian. He had one son, Jeff (19572016), and two grandchildren, with his first wife. On Dec. 15 of that year, Jeff Lukas was working the Lukas barn at Santa Anita Racetrack in Southern California when Tabasco Cat, a promising but rambunctious two-year-old colt (who would go on to win the Preakness and Belmont Stakes in the spring of 1994) got loose. He was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2007. Ben Diesel, Barber Road and Kavod are the only Arkansas Derby entrants to have raced in Oaklawn's first three Kentucky Derby qualifiers. The Mitchells (Briland Farm) bred and own Secret Oath, who is by deceased champion Arrogate out of their prized broodmare and multiple Oaklawn stakes winner, Absinthe Minded . He showed me his many Eclipse Awards and beamed at photos of his children. We had no reason to stay in Oklahoma, so we loaded all our stuff up and down to Laredo we go.". Though Bafferts customary Barn 33 has been reassigned this spring, and the plaques commemorating his many triumphs temporarily removed, his impact on Derby 148 is undeniable. There was not a speck of dust in his home or a misplaced glass in the kitchen. Obviously, I was extremely excited about winning one for Wayne.". However, the horse lagged in the Belmont and was eventually determined to have broken his leg; despite the loss, Charismatic was named Horse of the Year. He has won twenty Breeders' Cup races, received five Eclipse Awards for his accomplishments, and his horses have won 25 year-end Eclipse Awards. He stayed in there and then he angled out there at the quarter pole and said, 'I've got enough horse to get there.' ", Print Headline: Everyone chasing Lukas flashy gal. Asmussen rode the 4-year-old Into Mischief gelding for prominent Arkansas businessman Frank Fletcher. Lukas has been more than generous in sharing his knowledge as a trainer and a horseman. [6][7], Lukas suffered with COVID-19 in 2020. It's really fun.". Bud Delp: A Hall of Famer Remembered as a Super Horse Trainer, Last-Minute Fashion Finds for the 2023 Kentucky Derby, Sixteen Things to Know About the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Quick Sheet: Get to Know the 2021 Preakness Horses, Get to Know All 13 U.S. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. With a 32-year drought in the Oaks hanging over his head in the lead-up to Friday's race, opinions seemed divided on whetherSecret Oath would be able to outrun a field that included an Eclipse Award-winning champion filly in Echo Zulu and multiple otherformerly unbeaten graded stakes winners. In December 1993, Lukas' derby contender Tabasco Cat seriously injured Jeff Lukas, who worked for his father as an assistant trainer and was the elder Lukas' hard-driving right-hand man. Now he's stepping up class-wise, but we're happy about the draw, and we get Flavien Prat since Florent Geroux has another commitment. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. He has been a part of 29 Eclipse Awards, four for himself and 25 for his horses. Lukas was raised on a farm in Wisconsin. "I love what D. Wayne Lukas does, and I love his filly," he said. We talked a few times after that; he was trying to write a book about his life as a trainer and he needed help. There's no book. Here's what you need to know to become a digital horse trainer. We get together every once in a while. The tipping point for Wayne was when he saddled up a horse for a race and could barely make it back to the grandstand to watch him run. by [2] He has won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer four times. Lukas began training Thoroughbreds full-time in the late 1970s, roughly the same time the Asmussens began developing their famed El Primero Training Center, the Laredo facility where many of Steve Asmussen's best horses have been broken. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 86 years old? Darrell Wayne Lukas (born September 2, 1935 in Antigo, Wisconsin) is an American horse trainer and a U.S. "He's always had the talent, but he needs to put it all together," Geroux said. Yet when Lukas asked if he would coach from the sofa, Baffert told him he would do as he had been instructed and stay out of Yakteens way. So, how much is D. Wayne Lukas worth at the age of 88 years old? He maintained a string of horses during his tenure, getting up at 3 a.m. to take care of his stable before school and returning after practice, and enjoyed some memorable victories against rival LaCrosse Central. The latest historical snapshot represented three generations, five-plus decades and again linked two of the most prominent names in American horse racing history. He is not dating anyone. He was, in many ways, the bravest man I have ever known. Inducted in the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2007. And when you have these fillies that show up in your life, like this one or a colt, it's such an incentive and drive for me. Lukas jumped at the chance to coach the Logan High School boys basketball team in LaCrosse in 1961. In December 1993, Lukas derby hopeful Tabasco Cat fatally injured Jeff Lukas, who worked as his fathers assistant trainer and was the tenacious right-hand man of the older Lukas. "I've sat down and talked to (Keith James Asmussen) a couple of times because he's a refreshing young man," Lukas said. He's as good as you'd want a racehorse going into a race.". Thats where their heart was.. D. Wayne Lukas, in full Darrell Wayne Lukas, (born September 2, 1935, Antigo, Wisconsin, U.S.), American Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse trainer whose horses captured numerous races and amassed record earnings. Compiled 44-95 record as coach of Logan High School boys basketball team in LaCrosse, Wisc. D. Wayne Lukas's net worth Last Sunday Jeff was just thrilled when his beloved Wisconsin Badgers won at the buzzer to advance to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. There's no way to look it up and most guys do not share anything. The Derby, the 12th of 13 races on Oaklawn's card, will cover 1 1/8 miles and has a post scheduled for 6:35 p.m. "It's a very competitive field," Lukas said. D. Wayne Lukas. The track was listed as fast, but rain beforehand and persistent cold dampness led Lukas to say the racing surface reminded him of peanut butter. Note: this article was originally published in 2017 and has been updated. We the People is undefeated in two career starts, both this year at Oaklawn. Asmussen has 824 career victories at Oaklawn, where he has led the standings a record 12 times. As the horse ran at high speed, Jeff Lukas jumped in front of him, which will often compel a thoroughbred to stop. Lukas won the 1984 Arkansas Derby . The transition to Thoroughbreds has me more enthused than ever before I like a challenge.. Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, 87, returned to his normal routine during training hours Dec. 29 at Oaklawn Park, atop a stable pony and escorting his horses to and from the track. His condition, neurosurgeon Dr. William Caton would tell me in 2013, "was not compatible with survival very often.". The end result was the same anyhow. But just as quickly as Jeff improved, he plateaued. He is from USA. "I was out of my element, completely. 0-for-12: Lukas much-publicized record with Kentucky Derby starters until he won with, Lukas' Kentucky Derby winners: Winning Colors (1988), Thunder Gulch (1995), Grindstone (1996), and, Lukas' Preakness Stakes winners: Codex (1980), Tank's Prospect (1985), Tabasco Cat (1994), Timber Country (1995), Charismatic (1999), and Oxbow (2013), Lukas' Belmont Stakes winners: Tabasco Cat (1994), Thunder Gulch (1995), Editor's Note (1996), Commendable (2000), Six in a row: the record string of consecutive U.S. classic wins for Lukas that stretched from the 1994 Preakness Stakes through the 1996 Kentucky Derby, Record 20 victories in the Breeders Cup World Championships, including 12 with 2-year-olds, Trainer of 23 QuarterHorse champions and 25Thoroughbred champions, including 1986 Horse of the Year, Winner of record 14 classic races, one more than James Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons, Lukas celebrated a late-career milestone at age 86 when the filly. Their father, Jeff, was Lukas' only child from his first marriage. After his Grindstone won the 1996 Kentucky Derby, Lukas became the first trainer to win six consecutive Triple Crown races. "His last race was strong, but I think We the People and Secret Oath are the horses to beat," Baffert said. He said, 'Let's go there.' By Bob Ehalt. D. Wayne Lukas visited the horse soon after he shipped in, but . Among his pupils through the years have been trainers such as Todd Pletcher, Kiaran McLaughlin, Randy Bradshaw, Mark Hennig, George Weaver, Dallas Stewart, and Mike Maker. The most important member of Lukas's operation was Jeff, his only son, born to Janet, the first of Wayne's four wives. All Rights Reserved. Charismatic came close to sealing a Triple Crown for Lukas in 1999, winning both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. Secret Oath, a daughter of Arrogate trained by D. Wayne Lukas, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite with a chance to become the first filly to win the Arkansas Derby since Althea in 1984. Lukas' first Kentucky Oaks winner wasBlush With Pride in 1982. They would sneak down to the races and they were both really good handicappers.". In detailing a career overflowing with record-setting, one quickly runs out of adjectives to describe the monumental achievements of D. Wayne Lukas. D. Wayne Lukas Best Racing Class Achieved Multiple Graded Stakes Winning Trainer Add to Virtual Stable Add to Compare 2023 Statistics* Career Statistics See Complete Stats *All current year statistics include results from all countries. Hed do anything you wanted, Orr told Sports Illustrated. "After you win one and you think on it a little while, the real satisfaction is when you can put these people that work with these horses and raise them and so forth in that position. Secret Oath is entered for her first career start with colts after three consecutive wins at Oaklawn. On December 15, 1993, Lukas's son and top assistant, Jeff, was trampled by a colt named Tabasco Cat in the stable area at Santa Anita Racetrack. In 2013 Lukas claimed an unprecedented 14th Triple Crown race win with Oxbows victory in the Preakness; Bob Baffert surpassed his record in 2018. He was married to Linda and they had two children, Brady (then three years old) and Kelly (10 months). "We were up at Park Jefferson together and we decided that we would combine our stables and move to Oklahoma, where the hotbed of quarter horse racing was. (L-R) Laurie and D. Wayne Lukas, Keith J. Asmussen, and Steve Asmussen. Between 1985 and 1992, Lukas was the U.S. leading stakes-winning trainer. Lot of water's gone under the bridge since he and I were together.". Clearly, some things never change. Lukas was raised on a farm in Wisconsin. A collision in 1993 while trying to corral loose horse Tabasco Cat . His friend, rival and former Kentucky Horse Racing Commission member D. Wayne Lukas thought Baffert was battling the odds from the get-go in fighting his suspensions from the state commission and the home of the Kentucky Derby. Had Baffert agreed to the Kentucky stewards original hearing date of Oct. 6, a 90-day suspension could have been completed before any of the major Derby prep races. Asmussen is scheduled to ride one horse for Lukas this weekend at OaklawnNo Guilt in Jan. 22's third race, a $90,000 maiden special weight event. I think it's a very competitive race.". Over the last 41 years, only four Derbies have been run without one or both of them saddling starters. "I mean, he can't help it. The first trainer to earn more than $100 million in purse money, he has been the year's top money winner 14 times. He is currently single. So I think (Yakteen) will follow, Ill bet you, to the letter. "So when we came along We really recruited good guys, wonderful young men. He spent his formative years on the 10-acre family farm in Antigo, Wisc., began buying horses at auction while he was in grade school, and regularly raced and performed tricks on the county fair circuit. More from the track: All smiles: Louisville's Mackin family finally gets Kentucky Derby shot with Smile Happy.