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Lukas Classic, Ack Ack among trio of Churchill stakes Churchill Downs has renamed the $175,000 Lukas Classic in honor of the 80-year-old Hall of Fame trainer and the 1 1/8-mile race anchors a trio of stakes races Saturday at the Louisville, Kentucky track. A prep for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), the Lukas Classic may not have the quality to be relevant at Keeneland five weeks later but still features a solid field of eight older horses. Mylute (Midnight Lute), who was transferred to Lukas protege Todd Pletcher this year, is the likely favorite following a fifth in the Woodward (G1). The five-year-old horse will be seeking his first stakes victory and picks up the services of the hot-riding Florent Geroux. Multiple Grade 2 winner Departing (War Front) has the back class to be a factor but will be attempting to turn around things following a couple of unplaced efforts on turf and in a dirt sprint. Other contenders include Abraham (Distorted Humor) and Ulanbator (Offlee Wild). The $100,000 Ack Ack (G3) is a relevant prep for the Dirt Mile (G1). Multiple Grade 2 hero Tapiture (Tapit) is prepping for a return engagement, finishing a good second to Goldencents at Santa Anita in 2014. Ricardo Santana Jr. rides for Steve Asmussen. Viva Majorca (Tiago) and Midnight Cello (Midnight Lute) also appear on track for the Breeders' Cup. The former exits a rallying third in the Forego (G1) at Saratoga and the latter brings improving form into the one-turn mile event, winning the Hanshin Cup (G3) prior to a fast-closing second in the Presque Isle Downs last out. The $100,000 Jefferson Cup (G3), a one-mile turf affair for three-year-olds, completes the stakes triple-header. Nun the Less (Candy Ride) and Syntax (Haatef), first and third in the August 29 Mystic Lake Derby at Canterbury, are top contenders in the contentious race along with High Noon Rider (Distorted Humor) and Wayward Kitten (Kitten's Joy). Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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