Lukas Video Steals Trainer's Dinner Show

While not in attendance at this year's Kentucky Thoroughbred Association's Kentucky Derby Trainer's Dinner for the May 7 Run for the Roses, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas stole the show with a video tribute whining why his Ethereal Road  didn't get into the race. The Quality Road   colt, however, did make the cut after all at Monday's post position draw, adding humor to his tearful remorse.

The Trainer's Dinner, an annual staple of Derby week, returned to Louisville and a capacity crowd May 3 at the Speed Museum on the University of Louisville campus. Last year's event was held at Hermitage Farm and the dinner was not held in 2020. Prior to that, the event had a long run at the Hyatt hotel downtown.

Lukas had held a long run in the Derby, too, sending out his first runner in 1981. He's a four-time winner, the most recent with Charismatic in 1999.

"I was hoping we could get into the race this year," said Lukas while dramatically dabbing his eye with a tissue from his barn office at Churchill Downs. "It is really hard for me to talk about it. I'll miss it so much. The Trainer's Dinner has always been one of my favorites. I just couldn't get in the race this year ... I don't know if I can handle it. It's tearing me up. When then they go into the post parade and they sing My Old Kentucky Home ... whaa. I don't know if I can handle it ... 'Weep no more my lady...'"

"And (trainer) Todd (Pletcher) ... I've always been great with Todd," he said. "And here he's running three (in the race). (Trainer) Chad Brown ... we've always been close. It wouldn't be too bad if he scratched one.

"I don't want to talk about it anymore."

Julie Gilbert's Ethereal Road will break from post 20 and become Lukas' 50th Derby entrant.

Brown did do his part, by not entering Early Voting , the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino (G2) runner-up.

"I did step in and take one of my horses out for Mr. Lukas," he said later in the program. "The guy was crying all week to me, this guy. Leaving me weird voicemails; music playing. He called my mom ... it's like a bad breakup. I did step up and take the horse out.

"Todd, next year it's your turn ... I didn't even work for the guy, you did."

Brown was on the stage talking about Zandon , the morning line favorite for the Run for the Roses and winner of Keeneland's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1).

"This horse ... we always liked him. He's coming into the race the right way. He's doing everything right and training like a big bear."

Brown's best finish in the Derby was a third behind eventual Triple Crown winner Justify   in the 2018 Derby with Good Magic  , who also prepped in the Blue Grass.

"We didn't think we'd run into a horse that would win the Triple Crown," Brown said. "I love the Blue Grass before the Derby; just to get them to the state of Kentucky and take care of all the shipping. Keeneland is a great track. You feel good about bringing a horse to Churchill from there."

Pletcher, who came up under Lukas, has three runners in the Derby: Wood winner Mo Donegal , Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa Farms (G1) runner-up Charge It , and TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) third Pioneer of Medina , and has started more horses - 59 - in the Derby than any other trainer. He's won twice with Super Saver   in 2010 and Always Dreaming   in 2017.

About Mo Donegal, who drew post 1 for the Derby after his late-charging score in the Wood, Pletcher said: "I thought he had a little too much to do. At the top of the lane I had him down for second, but he's a really nice horse. He's been very professional and straightforward and he won the Remsen (Stakes, G2). I think he's the kind of horse that can handle it."

On being 2-for-59: "There's a great deal of satisfaction on getting horses here (to the Derby). Last year Mike Repole sent me a text after Dynamic One  finished up the track (18th). It was probably the nicest message I've gotten after a race. He said it was the first time since the pandemic that he'd been able to get together and the first time since his grandmother passed away. He said thank you for the opportunity to do that. 

"That's what the Derby does," he said. "It's exciting. No one wants to lose, but there is also something else besides the victory itself."

Pletcher was on stage later with Steve Asmussen, who trains Louisiana Derby winner Epicenter , and has not won the Derby with 23 starters although he has run second twice and third twice.

"We were very happy with his (Epicenter's) performance and we're excited about our chances Saturday. We're looking for a good first step and we'll run from there," Asmussen said.

"I have expected to win walking over before and been disappointed. I stand here jealous of Todd's 2-for-59."

Earlier in the program, Hallway Feeds presented the winning trophy to last year's Derby winner Brad Cox, trainer of Mandaloun , who won via disqualification of Medina Spirit . A video tribute —heavily edited — of the race was "very well produced" according to Lee Hall and Cox.

Net proceeds of the event go to support backside charities at Churchill Downs including the Backside Learning Center.

The KTA/KTOB appreciates the sponsors of the event: Hallway Feeds, Anthem, KY Proud, Spendthrift Farm, TwinSpires, Stonestreet Stables, H.E. Tex Sutton, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Encore, FarmPaint/Tenda, HRRN, NTRA, Paulick Report, Rood & Riddle, Stark Equine Transportation, TDN, Aphix, DRF, Claiborne Farm, Coolmore, Crestwood Farm, Hermitage, and Three Chimneys.