Correll’s Corner: Lukas is going to the Derby

Posted On 16 Mar 2025

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview

Lukas is going to the Derby

TRINITY, Fla. – Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, at 89 years young, is headed back to the Kentucky Derby and he’s doing it with American Promise who won the Virginia Derby on March 15 at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va.

The son of Justify stalked early leader Getaway Car who set blistering fractions of 23.12, 45.20 and 1:08.39 for six furlongs over a lightning fast track. American Promise drew even rounding the turn and the pair hit the mile in 1:33.02. The winner edged away before the eighth-pole and completed the mile-and-an-eighth race in 1:46.41 to win by seven lengths.

American Promise has 55 points and a solid spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. Render Judgment, who was second, has 29 points; Omaha Omaha, who was third has 26 points; Getaway Car, who held for fourth, has 46 points and Rapture has 5 points

This week’s top 3-year-olds:

Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) won the Lewis.

Journalism (Curlin) won the San Felipe.

Barnes (Into Mischief) second in San Felipe.

Rodriguez (Authetic) third in San Felipe.

Sovereignty (Into Mischief) won the Fountain of Youth.

John Hancock (Constitution) won the Sam F. Davis.

Coal Battle (Coal Front) won the Rebel at Oaklawn Park.

American Promise (Justify) won the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs.

River Thames (Maclean’s Music) second in Fountain of Youth.

Burnham Square (Liam’s Map) fourth in Fountain of Youth.

Getaway Car (Curlin) fourth in Virginia Derby and I think he has distance limitations.