Re: A Maiden in the Derby (538 Views)
Posted by:
Chuckles_the_Clown2 (IP Logged)
Date: March 26, 2006 08:35PM
cubfan0316 Wrote:
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> explain what d. wayne could poss. have learned
> recently that would make him a better trainer?he
> and all the others been training for years so how
> could all of a sudden their horses are running
> better? let me tell
> you,>>>>>>> DRUGS. pretty
> simple..
Lots of truth to the above, which makes one ask was Lukas onto the "tonic" between about 1985-1995 or so until other trainers found a better elixer?
My unscientific belief is that it took better breeding to come up with an elite horse in the past. But today, good breeding is far less important with the tonic remedies. Lukas can still win when he gets a well bred horse. Azeri for example, but it takes a standout now with all the Jump-Up trainers and their special tonics. Azeri getting the eclipse nod over Sightseek is another matter entirely.
Which brings me to the Lukas records. You can't take away his B.C. winners and Triple Crown winners. They were all legit. Add them up and he may have the best statistics ever. I'm not sure about that. Jimmy Jones won a lot of big races and so did Sunny Fitz. They obviously had much higher batting averages, but Lukas clearly was a numbers cruncher.
But the eclipse winners are something else entirely. Many times a Lukas horse has gotten the nod from the writers and voters and when you look at the data and past performances all you can do is scratch your head until you realize he conned the press too. He's just got the golden touch with influencing people.
If you had a top flight horse would you bring it to him? He might win an eclipse for you with an inferior record. Then again, he might also break that horse down the first day of training. I think I have at least 20 horsmen I'd bring my horse to before Lukas, but I know the game. He rubbed shoulders with the wealthy and they bought into his sales pitch.
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