The Lukas Classic Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three years old and older, over a distance of miles on the dirt held annually in September at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. The event currently carries a purse of $500,000.
History
The race was inaugurated in 2013, as the Homecoming Classic Stakes with a stakes purse of $175,000.
In 2015 the event was renamed to the Lukas Classic Stakes after U.S. Racing Hall of Fame horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Churchill Downs administration indicated that the change of name to Lukas Classic was "to salute Lukas' accomplishments, contributions and influence on Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, and the horse industry." Lukas has won the Kentucky Derby and the Oaks four times apiece.
Previously a Listed race, it was upgraded to Grade III status for 2017 by the American Graded Stakes Committee.
In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Churchill Downs did not schedule the event in their updated meeting.
In 2022 the American Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the event to Grade II.
Records Speed record: 1:47.85 – Knicks Go (2021)
Margins: lengths – Mind Your Biscuits (2017) & Honorable Duty (2018)
Most wins No horse has won this race more than once.
Most wins by a jockey 3 – Tyler Gaffalione (2018, 2022, 2026)
Most wins by a trainer 3 – Brad H. Cox (2021, 2024, 2026)
Most wins by an owner No owner has won this race more than once.
Winners
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time Purse Grade RefLukas Classic Stakes2026Dragoon Guard5Tyler GaffalioneBrad H. CoxJuddmonte Farms1:48.35$498,000II2025Mystik Dan4Francisco ArrietaLance Gasway, 4 G Racing, Daniel Hamby III, & Valley View Farm 1:49.25$500,000II2024Hit Show 4Florent GerouxBrad H. CoxWathnan Racing1:50.44$500,000II 2023Clapton4Cristian TorresChad SummersRRR Racing1:48.79$438,660 II 2022Hot Rod Charlie4Tyler GaffalioneDoug O'NeillRoadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, William Strauss, & Gainesway Farm1:49.77$498,000II 2021Knicks Go5Joel RosarioBrad H. CoxKorea Racing Authority1:47.85$400,000III2020Race not held2019Mocito Rojo5Gerard MelanconShane WilsonWayne T. Davis1:48.91$250,000III 20185Tyler GaffalioneChad Summers Shadai Farm, J Stables, Head of Plains Part., M.S., D., C. Summers, M. Kisber1:48.64$200,000III 2017Honorable Duty5Corey J. Lanerie DARRS 1:49.42$300,000III 2016Noble Bird5Julien R. LeparouxMark E. Casse John C. Oxley1:49.03$175,000Listed2015Geothermal6Robby AlbaradoSteve Margolis A. L. Luedtke1:49.93$175,000Listed Homecoming Classic Stakes2014 Cigar Street5Shaun BridgmohanWilliam I. Mott J. Ballis & R. Lewis1:49.87$135,000 2013 Fort Larned 5 Ian R. Wilkes Janice R. Whitham1:48.58$191,275
See also List of American and Canadian Graded races
References