Letter to the Editor: Thanks for the Support, Coach

[Wandering Eyes]

In 1990, Frank DeFrancis and I introduced the idea which would become the American Championship Racing Series to D. Wayne Lukas. He had come to Pimlico with some top stakes horses to train post-Derby, as he often did. He won the Pimlico Special that year with eventual Horse of the Year Criminal Type.

It was only 10 years since his first Triple Crown win at the 1980 Preakness, but he was now at the top of his profession. At Saratoga later that summer, Wayne and I had a lengthy conversation about the racing series and the television exposure being offered by Dennis Swanson, President of ABC Sports.     Wayne said, “What can I do to help?” He told me that if racing was to grow, T.V. coverage was essential. He said, “I can tell you it is the basis of the growth of sports, period.”

Wayne was always one thought ahead of you. When the ACRS launched in 1991, he came loaded. Farma Way won the Big 'Cap, and the Pimlico Special, and competed in eight of the nine races we offered that year, winning the first yearly ACRS bonus of $750,000. He would go on to run in 15 of the first 16 ACRS races.

More importantly to me, he never declined an interview I asked him to do. He showed up at the breakfast draw, the parties, and the Toast to the Winners. I could always count on him to be interesting, informative, and polished in every way, including his appearance, his speech, his horses, and barn. He was great media. He always thanked me, and I said he was the one who should be thanked. At a time when we were just getting started, he provided the ACRS not only with his constant support, but with the class of his presence.

I'm sure there is a barn in heaven ready to receive a makeover. Rest in peace, my friend.

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