Lukas Classic features McPeek pair Mystik Dan, Rattle N Roll

Kentucky Derby 150 hero Mystik Dan will square off against Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Hit Show in Saturday’s the 12th running of the Grade 2, $500,000 Lukas Classic, the marquee event of the Churchill Downs September meet.

The 1 1/8-mile Lukas Classic is the featured 10th race on Saturday’s 11-race program. First post is 12:45 p.m. EDT with the Lukas Classic field scheduled to go to post at 5:29 p.m. EDT.

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Mystik Dan, campaigned by 4 G Racing, Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hemby III and Valley View Farm, has tackled a wide range of challenges during his 4-year-old campaign. After a disappointing run in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), the Kenny McPeek trainee rebounded with a narrow second to Saudi Crown in Oaklawn’s Lake Ouachita Stakes and a 1 1/4-length victory in the Blame Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. His summer campaign included a fourth-place finish in the Stephen Foster (G1) and a try on turf in the Arlington Million (G1) at Colonial Downs, where he finished fourth. Regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr., who guided Mystik Dan to Derby glory nearly 17 months ago, retains the mount from post 5.

Along with Mystik Dan, McPeek also entered last year’s Clark Stakes (G2) winner Rattle N Roll. Owned in partnership by Sharaf Mohamad Alhariri and Lucky Seven Stable, Rattle N Roll was campaigned globally following the Clark, winning the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3) prior to a fifth-place finish in the Saudi Cup (G1) and an eighth in the Dubai World Cup. Julien Leparoux has the call from post 3.

Wathnan Racing’s Hit Show returns to defend his Lukas Classic crown for trainer Brad Cox. After last year’s victory, the son of Candy Ride went on to add wins in the Fayette (G2) and Louisiana Stakes (G3) prior to his score in the Dubai World Cup. After returning to North America, Hit Show finished fifth in the Stephen Foster (G1), which was followed by a repeat score in the West Virginia Governor’s Cup at Mountaineer. Florent Géroux will ride from post 2.

Horse Racing Nation speed figures are in parentheses.