GOLDEN GLIMPSES #68 GOLDEN GLIMPSES #68 LUKAS WILL ENJOY THE DERBY EVEN IF HIS STREAK ENDS
The trainer who has won the last two Kentucky Derbies, seven of the last eight Triple Crown races, and been a Derby participant for 16 straight years, was likely to sit out this year's Run for the Roses on Saturday. But D. Wayne Lukas managed to express good sportsmanship and keep things in perspective.
On Friday, Lukas said Prince Ahmed Salman and Dick Mulhall of The Thoroughbred Corp. were due in Kentucky Monday before a decision would be made on where to run their filly, Sharp Cat.
"We have until Wednesday (to decide)," Lukas said. "As it now stands, we're still thinking (Kentucky) Oaks, but when they get here, they may change their minds, what with some of the (Derby) defections.
"We've been a part of the Derby picture for 16 years in a row, but, gee, in light of the fact that we were able to win the last two, and seven of the last eight Triple Crown races, it is completely unthinkable for me to say, ''Well, they're going to run it (Kentucky Derby) without me, I'm being left out, I'm naked.
"It's an experience that doesn't come to many people, and we've had the ultimate experience, and even the longevity of getting the string going. I feel that we were really blessed, and if we have to miss a year, like this year, where it just didn't come together, fine. It's not going to be a big void.
"I'll stand right there, enjoy it just as much and pull for somebody else."
GOLDEN PICKS
CHRIS T. -- Didn't have best of trips in final outing at Arcadia sprinting for $25,000. Can make amends at Hollywood Park.
MISS LADY BUG -- Beaten just a half-length and a head in first start in four months over Santa Anita turf course, can lead throughout over Hollywood grass course she was unbeaten on in three starts last year.
THE HOMESTRETCH: Why Hello will win the Derby: His last two races were throw-outs because of gate and post position problems; he's thriving in Kentucky; Chris McCarron stays with him; Ron McAnally is long overdue. The Hall of Fame trainer is winless with nine Derby starters, and in nearly 40 years, has never won a Triple Crown race. Ideally, I'd like him to draw a post from four through eight. Second, Captain Bodgit, third, Concerto. The gutsy Hello will be the smallest horse in the field. To get an idea, look at the Irish-bred colt when he's next to another horse. He's a full six inches shorter than most rivals. But he's got a huge heart . . . Considering no Nevada wagering, and traffic competition from the Lakers a furlong away at the Fabulous Forum, Hollywood Park was delighted with its opening night. "It was terrific," said Rick Baedeker, vice president of marketing and PR. "We were up in on-track attendance by 150, to 32,581, which is incredible with the playoffs next door. That's really encouraging. We were up in on-track handle from roughly $2.8 million to $2.9 million. It's the most people we've had at the track in a year. I thought people staying home to watch the Lakers (on TV) would affect us, as well as their sellout crowd. I also thought the deterrent of a potential traffic jam might keep a lot of non-basketball fans away. Overall, we were up $100,000 in handle, and you have to compare that against a year ago when we had Las Vegas (simulcast wagering). The only decrease was in satellite attendance, which was down 3,000, from 19,800 last year to 16,700. But the off-track handle was up. Factoring all that in, I'd say it was a banner beginning." On any additional nights of racing: "Friday night is pretty well accepted at this point. I think it's unique and we want to keep it that way. Everything else being equal, I think there'd be a temptation to run maybe one other night a week, but we don't want to mess with something that ain't broke. It's working well and everybody seems to be happy with it now, so let's enjoy that.". . . Bad omen dept.: Skip Away didn't have a rough trip in the Texas Mile at Lone Star, but his trainer, Sonny Hine, did. A Rolls Royce the track provided for Hine's transportation caught fire on its way from the airport. And with Skip Away winless this year following a third in the Texas Mile, which was boosted from $100,000 to $250,000 to lure the 1996 3-year-old champion, don't expect any more tracks to increase their purses to entice him . . . How tough is this year's Derby? Six of the potential starters -- Captain Bodgit, Concerto, Crypto Star, Phantom on Tour, Pulpit and Silver Charm -- have never finished out of the money in a combined 45 starts, and Phantom on Tour, Pulpit and Silver Charm have never been worse than second . . . Kent Desormeaux on the ability of Free House to get the extra eighth of a mile in Kentucky, after winning the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby: "No doubt, he can get it. I made the lead when I wanted to. I think I could have sat another eighth of a mile, and he would have possessed the same kick. The stopping on the lead is just a mental game with him, it's not because he's tired. He's playing around up there because he's bored." . . . Desormeaux said Pacificbounty "got a little tired" finishing third in the Arkansas Derby, in which he was beaten a length by Crypto Star. "He wasn't tired from the distance (1 1/8 miles). He was tired like he might have needed a little more conditioning. The race should definitely help him." . . . Wally Dollase reports two of his talent-laden fillies, Reading Habit and Mighty Might, will run at Hollywood "in the next couple of weeks." . . . As of now, there will be no radio broadcasts on KIEV from Hollywood Park this meet, due to a miscommunication at the station, which is now in the process of selling its prime 6 p.m. time slot. The race calls will resume at Del Mar, Bill Garr says . . . Owner/trainer Craig Lewis on Larry The Legend: "He's doing fine. I hope to have him back sometime during Hollywood, but we're not in any rush. We'll let him get there when he's ready to get there." . . . Add Golden winners: In March 18-22 editions of Gaming Today, we wrote of Touch Gold: "Classy colt broke behind his field but rallied for smashing triumph, indicating stakes victories are in his future." In his very next start, Touch Gold won the $175,000 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, paying $8.60. Also, Kidnap ($13.40), Sandtrap ($7) and Surachai ($5.40).
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