Lukas Could Be Talk of Derby--as Analyst

Probably without a starter in the Kentucky Derby for the first time since 1980, trainer Wayne Lukas could join the broadcasting team that will televise the race for ABC.

Lukas’ business manager, Larry Feldman, said Tuesday he approached ABC about the possibility, the network is interested and negotiations are continuing. A decision could be made by early next week. The Derby will be run at Churchill Downs on May 3.

Lukas has run at least one horse in the Derby every year since 1981 and holds the record with 31 starters. He won with Winning Colors in 1988 and has won it the last two years, with Thunder Gulch and Grindstone, the first time a trainer won successive Derbies since Lucien Laurin with Riva Ridge and Secretariat in 1972-73. No trainer has won three consecutive Derbies.

This year, Lukas nominated 23 horses for the Triple Crown races, but they have done poorly in the prep races.

One of Lukas’ last hopes, Deeds Not Words, will have to run a strong race Sunday in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland to merit Derby consideration.

Lukas’ top filly, Sharp Cat, finished sixth in the Santa Anita Derby and is expected to run in the Kentucky Oaks the day before the Derby.

In 1995, when interest was high about whether the filly Serena’s Song would run in the Derby, Lukas did ABC a favor. He timed his Derby announcement about Serena’s Song to coincide with the network’s “Wide World of Sports” program a week before the race. Serena’s Song finished 16th.