'Great for the industry' with Lukas in Kentucky Derby 2018
Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, 82, is as tenacious as the horses he trains.
Lukas rises long before anyone else has stirred, sitting atop his pony to keep a watchful eye on his horses. He’s easy to spot on race day, always dressed sharp in a crisp suit, silver white hair glistening in the sunlight, and a fierce love for competition dancing in his eyes.
And he loves nothing more than to be a part of the biggest dances on racing’s highest stage.
“I think it’s great for the industry that he’s here at 82 in the Derby," said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, a former Lukas assistant who will be represented by Enticed. "It’s great for him, his wife, his clients, his staff. It’s great for so many reasons.”
McLaughlin noted that he and Lukas have always stayed in touch since he left his stable in 1992 to go out on his own. McLaughlin has become one of the most successful trainers in the world, winning three Breeders' Cup races, the Belmont Stakes, and trained champions such as Frosted, Jazil, Invasor and Tamarkuz.
“I give him credit for most of my success," McLaughlin said. "He was a great mentor, teacher and coach.” The trainer was quick to bring up Lukas’ penchant for passing his memorabilia to the Kentucky Derby museum for fans to witness. “He donated so much. It’s fabulous for people to see, it’s amazing what he has accomplished.”
The quarter horse-turned-Thoroughbred trainer Lukas took the racing world by storm in the 1980s. He now boasts a record 14 Triple Crown race wins, 20 Breeders’ Cup races and five Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Trainer, three of them consecutively from 1985-1987.
Asked the most important thing he learned from Lukas, McLaughlin said, “Mainly the feed program, being organized and having a good work ethic. For Wayne, I started at four in the morning, and I thought that was just going to be for one day."
Well, it wasn't. These days, Lukas' alarm goes off at 3:15 a.m. -- but on many days, he rises before then.
"Nobody works harder than he does," McLaughlin said. "He gets up on his pony every day. No days off. He loves what he does.”
Another former assistant, Todd Pletcher, brings an astounding four colts to the Kentucky Derby off major prep race wins. Pletcher said Friday that, “I think the Derby’s always better when Wayne’s in it.” Mark Hennig, another former Lukas employee, has a Kentucky Oaks runner in My Miss Lilly.
So it seems even while not saddling his own horse, Lukas is always a part of the big days, even if it’s through a former student. At least once more, he'll take them on in the Kentucky Derby looking for a fifth victory in the race.
He's taught us over the years to never count out The Coach.