Celebration of Life: D. Wayne Lukas

The Coach's Celebration of Life ceremony was held a few days ago in Louisville, KY. We are sharing the full ceremony as captured on YouTube below. 

We've often tried to explain the impact of D. Wayne Lukas has had on our lives, and every time, fallen far short. Maybe all these amazing stories and recollections by those who knew him best--and longest--will do a better job of showing why this man was such a force in our industry who touched the lives of so many in such a powerful and positive way.

The testimony of former jockey Pat Day was particularly touching, and we treasure our Winner's Circle photo of Coach, with Pat Day, and our G2 Pat Day Mile stakes winner on Kentucky Derby Day 2024. Two weeks later, our son of Arrogate would go on to win the Second Jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness.

We were thrilled to see the horse we owned in partnership with many, many others in several special cameos highlighting D. Wayne Lukas's career. Seize The Grey was Coach's last Triple Crown race winner, who bestowed upon Mr. Lukas the title of the Oldest Trainer Ever to Win a Triple Crown race -- at age 88. I'm not sure that will--or can--ever be surpassed. 

We also had three more promising youngsters in his barn--Caldera (Liam's Map) and Munny Problem (Munnings) who will find a home with new trainers, and Trust But Verify (Into Mischief), who has already been sent to the Coach's good friend, Kenny McPeak. 

We miss you, Coach. We will always miss you, as will the people, the sport, the horses, and the entire industry. As many here said in different ways, there was only one D. Wayne Lukas. There was only one legend who changed the game forever. May his memory never fade from the sport he loved and ever strived to make better. He must have had a huge herd of champions running to greet him in Heaven. 

D. Wayne Lukas Celebration of Life Ceremony

Catching Up on Updates - 2YOs and 3YOs

TWO YEAR OLDS

Black Tie Optional (Not This Time colt)

• Black Tie Optional has remained on a work schedule at Los Alamitos, where he is breezing well, including a 4F in :48 flat in company with his usual mate, Cherokee Nation, in July prompting assistant trainer Mike Marlow to report, “He worked great. Probably his best work to date.” His most recent work was from the gate on August 1st (three furlongs in :37.20). His team is bringing him along slowly and no immediate start date is expected. 

Instant Impact (Upstart colt)

• Instant Impact debuted on July 27th at Saratoga. After his race came off the turf course due to rain, trainer Kenny McPeek opted to keep him in. He ran fourth, notably handled the loading process and broke well—a good sign after some of his gate issues in the mornings. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche allowed Instant Impact to find his rhythm though he did seem to be spinning his wheels a bit on the wet track. He did show good fight when the horse coming up behind him tried to run by, and he galloped out well. Instant Impact departed Saratoga for Churchill Downs last week, and ran a bullet work at Churchill on August 11th going 4F in 47.20. He is expected to make his next start at Ellis Park in approximately 9-10 days.  

Misstrial (Constitution filly)

• Misstrial had her first start at Del Mar (the same day Seismic Beauty won the G1 Clement L. Hirsch), but stumbled badly out of the gate, almost going to her nose, and then colliding with the horse to her inside. In spite of her troubles, she still made a valiant effort, but was tiring by the time she hit the stretch. She was back on the work tab on August 11th at Del Mar, covering 5F in 1:00.60 while on the inside of stablemate Falcon Jet (2nd on debut on 8/3). We were glad to see Misstrial no worse for the wear after her debut and expect to see her get one more run at Del Mar before the summer meet ends. There are two maiden special weight options remaining at the meet, on August 30th and September 6th.

Munny Problem  (Munnings colt)

• Sadly, Munny Problem was being trained by D. Wayne Lukas who's sudden passing on June 28th left him trainerless. He was sent to Highlander training center with the Coach's two other trainees, Caldera (stakes placed 3YO) and Trust But Verify (unstarted 2YO). Munny Problem is doing well at Highlander during his R&R period. He should be started back in training in approximately 60 days.

Native Brew (Yaupon colt)

• Native Brew made his first start and ran 5th. Unfortunately, the race took a toll on this first time starter, and he will need time off before running again. 

Sirius Pursuit (Knicks Go filly)

• Upcoming possible debut dates - Saturday, August 23 at Ellis Park or a later date at Saratoga. Her workmate, Amended Dreamer, will make her debut at Saratoga on Saturday, August 16th, in the 4th race. This will give a better indication of Sirius Pursuit's standing among 2YOs. Her trainer is Jena Antonucci.

Trust But Verify (Into Mischief colt)

• Trust But Verify was transferred to Highlander Training Center after the death of D. Wayne Lukas, who had been training this promising colt. A decision was made to send Trust But Verify to "Coach's" good friend Kenny McPeek. Trust But Verify had his final breeze at Highlander Training Center where he covered 3F from the gate in :37.72. Highlander’s Jeff Hooper reported “Everything went smoothly and [he] worked a nice 3/8ths from the gate in company, outworking his work mate comfortably.” Trust But Verify was sent to the McPeek barn at Keeneland and is currently awaiting the next van to join his string at Saratoga.

THREE YEAR OLDS

Good Cop (Tiz The Law colt)

• Has transferred from Fair Hill to Todd Pletcher's barn at Belmont Park (open for training during renovations) and has been putting in a works there. 

Isle Blue (Speightstown filly)

• After the death of Christophe Clement earlier this year, she is now being trained by his son, Miguel Clement who has done much of her hands-on training to this point. Isle Blue ran a stunning bullet work on 8/9/25, running 4F in 47.40 for the fastest work of 76 that morning.

Nakoma (Vekoma filly)

• Currently turned out. Expected to return to racing later this year. Trained by Jena Antonucci.

OTHER HORSES

Caldera (Liam's Map colt)

• Since losing his trainer (D. Wayne Lukas -- "Coach"), Caldera was sent to Highlander where he has been cooling his heels. After a valiant run at qualifying for the Kentucky Derby which didn't pan out due to stumbling and grabbing a quarter out of the gate in the Louisiana Derby (a Kentucky Derby qualifier), Caldera ran back 2nd in a minor stakes at Oaklawn hoping for a Preakness berth, then went through a growth spurt/weight loss period and other issues that required a rest. No new trainer has yet been selected.

Here's The Kicker (Liam's Map filly)

• After her last start in the G1 Ruffian Stakes, which didn't go well for her, she was transferred to Saratoga to try her hand at the spa. While her first work there was an eye-opening bullet running 35.03 for 3F on June 30th, her next three works were not as impressive. Unfortunately, the deep surface at Saratoga does not seem to be to her liking. Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. has opted to send her back to Florida where she has done her best running, so her next start will most likely be at Gulfstream Park. 

TRUST BUT VERIFY - Big Update!

Trust But Verify is set to have his final breeze at Highlander tomorrow morning and should be ready to ship out by early next week. 

Sadly, there has been a change of plans. Bas Nicholl, the Coach's long time assistant trainer, will not be taking over the barn from the late D. Wayne Lukas long term, as originally expected. Instead, top conditioner Kenny McPeek has been selected to train Trust But Verify. 

Kenny should need little introduction as the trainer of last year’s G1 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and G1 Kentucky Oaks winner and Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna, as well as our Fancy Quality, and another one of our promising juvenile colts, Instant Impact.

Trust But Verify will make a stop in Kentucky en route to the McPeek barn in Saratoga. We don't expect he'll be ready to make a debut during the meet, but he'll get some good experience at the busy track while also training at Kenny's primary base for the summer.

While we are still feeling the huge loss of "Coach" -- Mr. Lukas -- we are excited by the prospects of having his good friend train our 2YO, and to have our third horse join the Kenny McPeek barn.

Thank You Forever, "Coach" D. Wayne Lukas

We are in mourning. We received word that D. Wayne Lukas ("Coach") passed last night, Saturday, June 28, 2025 after a brief illness after announcing his sudden retirement a few days ago on June 22nd. He was 89 years old. An absolute legend, icon and inspiration to the industry, we will miss his words of wisdom, his informational messages and videos, and seeing him out on the track on his trusty paint, Bucky. 

The Coach was currently training two horses for our groups -- Caldera (Liam's Map) and Munny Problem (Not This Time) -- with a third, Trust But Verify (Into Mischief), to head his way shortly. He also trained Seize The Grey, now retired to stud in Kentucky after winning the Preakness, Pennsylvania Derby (both G1) and Pat Day Mile (G2, on the 2024 Kentucky Derby undercard). 

We'll try to capture just some of the achievements he left behind, but his most intangible victories were the impact he had on our sport and the respect he garnered from so many from throughout the racing community. We'll post links to some of that press below. This post will be edited as more are added in the coming days.

Daily Racing Form:  Racing Legend D. Wayne Lukas Dead at 89 

Paulick Report:  Legendary Trainer D. Wayne Lukas Passes Away

Bloodhorse:  Industry-Shaping Horseman Lukas Dies at Age 89

APNews: Hall of Fame Horse Trainer D. Wayne Lukas

APNews: D. Wayne Lukas Revolutionized Horse Racing

APNews: Horse Racing Pays Tribute to Hall of Fame Trainer

Thank you coach for training some of the greatest horses racing has ever seen. 

• Azeri
• Blush With Pride 
• Boston Harbor (*BC)
• Capote (*BC)
• Cara Rafaela
• Cash Run (*BC)
• Cat Thief (*BC)
• Charismatic
• Codex 
• Commendable
• Dynaformer
• Editor's Note
• Flanders (*BC)
• Folklore (*BC)
• Grindstone (Kentucky Derby winner, grandsire of Mine That Bird)
• Gulch (*BC)
• Hightail (*BC)
• Is It True (*BC)
• Lady's Secret (*BC, Champion, Horse of the Year, Secretariat daughter) 
• Life's Magic (*BC)
• Mine That Bird (after his Kentucky Derby win)
• Open Mind (*BC)
• Orientate (*BC)
• Oxbow (Preakness winner 2014)
• Sacahuista (*BC)
• SEIZE THE GREY (Preakness, Penn Derby, Pat Day Mile - one of ours)
• Serena's Song
• Spain (*BC)
• Steinlen (*BC)
• Stellar Jayne (Multiple G1, G2 winner, $1M+, granddam Inherit the Stars)
• Success Express (*BC)
• Tabasco Cat
• Take Charge Brandi (*BC)
• Tanks Prospect
• Thunder Gulch
• Timber Country (*BC)
• Twilight Ridge (*BC)
• Winning Colors (filly who won the Kentucky Derby)

*Breeders’ Cup Winners Trained by D. Wayne Lukas (Alphabetical Order): Boston Harbor (Juvenile, 1996), Capote (Juvenile, 1986), Cash Run (Juvenile Fillies, 1999), Cat Thief (Classic, 1999), Flanders (Juvenile Fillies, 1994), Folklore (Juvenile Fillies, 2005), Gulch (Sprint, 1988), Hightail (Juvenile Sprint, 2012), Is It True (Juvenile, 1988), Lady's Secret (Distaff, 1986), Life's Magic (Distaff, 1985), Open Mind (Juvenile Fillies, 1988), Orientate (Sprint, 2002), Sacahuista (Distaff, 1987), Spain (Distaff, 2000), Steinlen (GB) (Mile, 1989), Success Express (Juvenile, 1987), Take Charge Brandi (Juvenile Fillies, 2014), Timber Country (Juvenile, 1994), Twilight Ridge (Juvenile Fillies, 1985).

For a few, their legacy lived on with:

• Boston Harbor sired Healthy Addiction
• Cara Rafaela foaling Bernardini (sire) 
• Dynaformer sired the legendary Barbaro (Kentucky Derby) 
• Is It True sired Yes It's True (who sired our race mare Endless Thyme)
• SEIZE THE GREY (top earning son of Arrogate, now standing 1st year at stud)

But perhaps the biggest impact, by far, was the influence Coach had on those who learned from him. Todd Pletcher, who went on to be and still remains one of the elite top trainers, but also successful trainers Kiaran McLaughlin, Dallas Stewart, Randy Bradshaw, Mark Hennig, Mike Maker, and George Weaver. 

Sadly, one of his greatest pupils was his son, Jeff, toted by many as a sharp and effective trainer in his own right. Jeff suffered severe brain injury when one of the Coach's top horses, Tabasco Cat, broke away and ran Jeff over causing Jeff's head to impact the ground. Though Jeff did try to return to training after his recovery later, the work proved too much for him. He passed in 2016 at age 58.

In 1987, Lukas won 92 stakes races at tracks throughout the country, a record that would stand for nearly 20 years before Pletcher (appropriately enough!) broke that record in 2006.

Many other trainers were his competitors, but also long-time peers who carried a deep respect for and friendship with him, including Bob Baffert, Kenny McPeek, and Steve Asmussen. 

But there were also the legions of youth who he took to the winners circles over the years so they could experience the thrill of getting their photo taken with the winner, or the kids he'd hand signed cards from the back of his pony horse, or just stopped to chat with as they stood at the rail watching in awe. 

He is the only trainer to have been named to BOTH the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred Hall of Fame.  

But for us, what a huge honor it was to be involved with his last horse to win a Triple Crown race in 2024, with our own SEIZE THE GREY winning the Preakness wire-to-wire. "Ceasar" won a second grade 1 race in the Pennsylvania Derby four months later, and also competed in the 2024 Breeders Cup Dirt Mile, as his last BC contender. But that was followed with the thrill this year, 2025, of seeing Caldera headed down the Derby Trail road. Though sadly he didn't make the field of any of the Triple Crown races, we had the great pleasure of watching him place 2nd in a head-bob decision in the Sunland Park Derby (Kentucky Derby prep race) right here in our own state. 

[Edited later to add:] We now own (and cherish) the saddlecloth from that race, and a reproduction of the Preakness Winner wood sign that had hung in Coach's famed barn at Churchill Downs, made for us by the same craftsman  in November 2025. 

 

NEW ADDITION: Trust But Verify by Into Mischief

We are excited to join the ownership group of a promising colt, Trust But Verify! This speedy and balanced son of the reigning six-time champion general sire Into Mischief enjoyed some post-sale downtime at Highlander Training Center in Texas, and returned to training at the beginning of last week. He'll be legged up at the farm for a bit longer to build his fitness before eventually joining the barn of our Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Our G1 Preakness S. and G1 Pennsylvania Derby winner of last year, Seize The Grey, also spent time at Highlander before re-joining the Lukas barn for his big 2024 campaign, so it’s a plan that we certainly know works!

Of course, Into Mischief’s lengthy list of accomplishments got even longer since we picked up this colt when his son Sovereignty scored an emphatic victory in the G1 Kentucky Derby. Into Mischief is now tied for most Derby wins as a sire with three, and Sovereignty is set to take on a talented field in next week’s G1 Belmont S. at Saratoga. 

We'll be setting up a page for Trust But Verify shortly to join the other pages at the top of this site, but for now any updates will be available by clicking on his name on the right side bar.