Lukas Sophs Pointing For April Derby Preps

[Wandering Eyes]

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas told the Oaklawn media team Friday morning that Caldera (Liam's Map) and American Promise (Justify) will make their next starts in Kentucky Derby prep races at Keeneland over the coming weeks.

A $500,000 OBS March purchase by MyRacehorse, Caldera earned 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby when finishing the narrow runner-up in the Sunland Park Derby Feb. 16, but he effectively lost all chance at the break of the Mar. 22 GII Louisiana Derby, stumbling and checking early before finishing a distant eighth. The gray colt looks likely to wheel back on two weeks' rest in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes on Apr. 5.

“That was the whole idea,” Lukas said of the quick backup. “I tell you what, he didn't get a chance to run at all. When they fall like that out of the gate, they don't pick it up. It'd be a miracle for him to win.”

American Promise has already earned his spot in the Derby field by virtue of his upset in the $500,000 Virginia Derby on Mar. 15. He will represent the stable in the GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes on Apr. 12, a race used as a springboard to Derby success by former Lukas trainee Charismatic (Summer Squall). American Promise breezed five furlongs in Hot Springs Mar. 25, covering the distance in :59.80 (2/5).

“I don't want a seven-week break, trying to win the Kentucky Derby,” Lukas said. “The whole idea is trying to win the Derby and I think in order to win the Derby, I would feel better if I had another out in him.”

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