Geroux aims for Churchill Downs stakes triple on 'solid horses'

Jockey Florent Geroux is poised to attempt a stakes triple Saturday night at Churchill Downs as he rides a trio of top contenders in the Lukas Classic (G3), Ack Ack (G3) and Jefferson Cup (Listed).

“It’s always fun to have lots of chances at winning big races,” Geroux said. “We’re on some solid horses for good connections, and I think we’re going to be able to get the job done.”

The marquee race Saturday evening is the Lukas Classic, in which Geroux rides 5-2 morning line favorite Quip. The 4-year-old colt will attempt to rebound from an enigmatic ninth-place finish in last month’s Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar.

“We are still trying to figure out what actually happened in that race,” said the 33-year-old French-born jockey. “He’s run at many different tracks across many different dirt surfaces but he just didn’t handle things that day. It would be one thing if he came out of the race and we knew something was wrong but he just didn’t really run. If you notice that weekend, nearly no east coast horse ran well at Del Mar. Seeking the Soul never even got into the bit in the (Pacific Classic.) The way he’s been training in the morning for (trainer) Rodolphe (Brisset) makes me believe (Quip)’s back and we can just draw a line through that race.”

Owned by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and SF Racing, Quip is a four-time winner through 10 starts with earnings topping $1.05 million. The Distorted Humor colt finished second in the $600,000 Stephen Foster (GII) in the Spring Meet at Churchill Downs.

Post time for the Lukas Classic is 10:11 p.m. (all times Eastern).

2019 Lukas Classic Stakes (G3)

The all-stakes Pick 3, which spans Races 7-9 will kick-off at 9:05 p.m. as Geroux will attempt to find the winner’s circle with Madaket Stables, Slam Dunk Racing and Michael Nentwig’s West Coast-invader Air Strike in the one-mile Ack Ack.

“I’ve ridden him in the past and he’s very tactical,” Geroux said. “He’s stepping up in distance but should like the one-turn here and it’s a class relief, too.”

Air Strike, a 4-year-old son of Street Sense, won the Triple Bend (G2) in late May at Santa Anita. Following his victory, Air Strike finished fourth in the Bing Crosby (G1) and fourth behind one of the nation’s top horses, Mitole, in the Forego (G1). 

Trained by Phil D’Amato, Air Strike arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday and is based in trainer Joe Sharp’s Barn 48.

2019 Ack Ack Stakes (G3)

In the eighth race, Geroux will attempt to give Hoffman Family Racing's Mick's Star his second consecutive victory as he stretches out in distance for the 1 1/8-mile Jefferson Cup on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

“Last time at Kentucky Downs he really dug in to win,” Geroux said. “He’s run some very game races when he’s been able to get on the lead and last time we were able to do that.”

Trained by Tom Amoss, Mick’s Star is the co-third choice on the morning line odds at 5-1. The son of Point of Entry won his first two starts on the dirt prior to switching surfaces to the turf.

2019 Jefferson Cup (LS)