Expert Pick of the Week: 2023 Lukas Classic
Sep 28, 2023
A strong field of nine will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Churchill Downs dirt in Saturday’s $500,000 Lukas Classic (G2). Grade 1 victor Americanrevolution draws outside in the contest for conditioner Todd Pletcher and looms large as the second choice on the morning line. By Constitution, the talented Empire State-bred didn’t fire at Saratoga in his lone outing of 2023, but the chestnut has trained well in the interim and will surely take a big step forward on Saturday.
The five-year-old is still lightly raced with room for improvement, and he also possesses the early speed to secure a good stalking trip early on, as well. A clear second in the deep Stephen Foster (G2) here in 2022, the top pick is proven at both the distance and on the surface, and his best performance will make him especially tough to upend in the lucrative event. Tyler Gaffalione will be in the stirrups.
Kenny McPeek’s Rattle N Roll is the one to beat as he brings a 6-3-2-1 mark on the course. The four-year-old son of Connect has been in very good form this campaign and exits a solid try at Saratoga when defeated by just 3 3/4 lengths in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) most recently. The Kentucky-bred colt possesses a fine turn of foot and lands in a spot where there is enough early speed signed on to aid his closing burst. The four-year-old colt fired a bullet five-eighths in his latest morning drill and will be ready to fire under the guidance of regular pilot Brian Hernandez Jr.
Trademark has hit the board in a trio of stakes races in succession of late and has appeal as a top-three contender for conditioner Vicki Oliver. The gelded son of Upstart dons a 3-for-4 mark beneath the Twin Spires in his lifetime, and he also has a versatile running style to give jockey Martin Garcia options on the backside. This four-year-old bay shows four solid morning moves in advance of this race and will be well placed as the field approaches the turn for home.
Expert Pick
An exacta with #9 Americanrevolution on top of #4 Rattle N Roll and #5 Trademark in the 2023 Lukas Classic is the Best Bet of the Week.
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