Jeff Lukas Comes Back in Oklahoma

Jeff Lukas’ return to racing was spoiled by unbeaten Evansville Slew, who recovered from a bad start and won the Remington Futurity on Sunday.

This was the first time Lukas saddled a horse for a race since Dec. 15, when a frightened Tabasco Cat trampled him at Santa Anita, nearly killing the trainer.

Sunday, Lukas sent out Southern Tempo, who finished third.

Lukas returned to training on a part-time basis June 27 after extensive rehabilitation and only recently increased his work schedule to five days a week.

“It takes time,” Lukas said on the eve of the race. “It took longer than I thought it would.

“But that’s what it requires. Things slowly have gone in the right direction.”

Evansville Slew has won all five of his starts and is considered one of the leading contenders for the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5.