BackTrack: Charismatic Preps for Derby in Lexington

With the number of eligible 3-year-olds converging on Louisville reaching a critical mass two weeks before the Kentucky Derby (G1), it's apparent there will only be so many seats at the table. Looking to make last minute reservations on April 18 in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) at Keeneland were 14 suitors, but two, Doneraile Court and Lethal Instrument scratched, leaving a dozen to contest the 1 1/16-mile race.

Those looking to improve their position from the kiddies table to Churchill Downs' banquet table were Epic Honor, a grade 3 winner in Northern California; the hard-luck Successful Appeal; Bob Baffert's Finder's Gold; Rushaway Stakes winner Yankee Victor; and Holy Bull Stakes (G3) victor Grits'n Hard Toast.

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who already had signed and mailed in his Derby RSVP with Blue Grass Stakes (G1) runner-up Cat Thief, was looking for another seat with former claimer Charismatic. "I need to give him a wake-up call," said Lukas prior to the race, and Robert and Beverly Lewis' coppery chestnut son of Summer Squall delivered with a white-linen performance: a 2 1/2-length score in 1:41.06, just one tick off the 1990 track mark. 

Lukas can now approach Churchill's president Tom Meeker and ask for a table for two.

With the defection of Doneraile Court, it looked to be Texas Glitter's race to lose. The Todd Pletcher-trained flash was coming off two tough beats in Florida this winter at seven furlongs and the 7-2 favorite figured to have things his own way early on, with a nice chance to hold off the closers in the short stretch at Keeneland. But when the gates opened, he was challenged early on by Yankee Victor.

Through opening splits of :23.20 and a quick :46.92, John Velazquez, aboard Texas Glitter, was never able to quite clear the free-running Yankee Victor under Shane Sellers, with Lucky Roberto in close pursuit. Meanwhile Charismatic, who had made up ground late in both the El Camino Real (G3) and Santa Anita (G1) Derbys out west this winter without full success, sat sixth early, but inched closer to the pace in fourth after the half under new rider Jerry Bailey.

"The race unfolded like we thought it would," said Lukas. "With the scratches, I thought we needed to stay closer to the pace. Jerry gave him a textbook ride."

Yankee Victor, who seemed unsettled in the paddock, pressed, then stuck a head in front of Texas Glitter after six furlongs in 1:10.74, but at that point, Texas Glitter was softened up. Yankee Victor charged ahead and still held the lead after a mile in 1:34.99, but Charismatic was in full stride and moving quickly. There was no question in the stretch as Charismatic drove clear to the wire. Yankee Victor held second, three-quarters of a length in front of Finder's Gold, who had closed from seventh. An even run from Epic Honor landed him the fourth spot. Texas Glitter was not pressed late and finished 10th.

"We figured they'd go fast early and we thought we'd follow the leader," said Carlos Morales, trainer of Yankee Victor. "But they went so fast, :44 1/5. He really tried all the way, but he had to run hard the whole way."

A trip to Louisville is not out of the question, but Morales would rather head to Chicago. "I'll have to talk to some of the owners, but my vote is to go to the Illinois Derby (G2; May 8). Shane said he's the kind of horse that can make $1 million. "It's easy to get Kentucky (Derby) fever, but I think we should just go slow with him." Yankee Victor is owned by Moreton Binn and Enllomar Stable and judging by the entourage in the paddock, the talk with the owners will be a conference call only AT&T could love.

Jeff Bonde, trainer of Epic Honor, will also bypass Louisville. "He didn't win, so we're out. We might go to Illinois."

It's not often a Lukas horse, ridden by Bailey, would be let go at 12-1, but the field appeared so evenly matched, that's exactly what happened. Charismatic paid $26.20. Well-backed Yankee Victor, at 5-1, completed a square $163.40 exacta.

Lukas was questioned on sending Charismatic out off the April 3 Santa Anita Derby into a race two weeks before the big one.

"He's always been in the Derby in my opinion," said Lukas post race. "He's a big, heavy-set horse who carries a lot of flesh. I thought his best races were when he came back quickly, so this was an ideal spot. I'd considered running him in an allowance race earlier in the week. I think the two-week schedule is a plus."

The challenge for Lukas now is a rider, with regular pilot Laffit Pincay Jr. likely staying put in Southern California and Bailey expected to ride Worldly Manner for Team Godolphin. "Jerry said 'don't make a decision until I call you' as he ran back to the jock's room," Lukas said. "I would imagine the phone will start ringing because that race, in 1:41 flat, that was racehorse time."

Dont' call too late. Seating is limited and dinner will be served promptly at 5:30 p.m. May 1.