Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas eyes fifth Kentucky Oaks
D. Wayne Lukas is 86 years old, but he's still at the top of his game, and the Hall of Fame trainer has one of the favorites in this year's Kentucky Oaks.
"This Oaks, it is some kind of good, it is tough," Lukas said.
It's been more than 30 years since Lukas last won the Kentucky Oaks. He won back-to-back trophies in 1989 with Open Mind and the following year with Seaside Attraction, respectively.
Secret Oath has a chance to add a fifth Oaks to Lukas' Hall of Fame career.
"She's got an affinity for the race track, which I wanted to see," Lukas said about his filly. "We've had two works on her already and they've both been very positive."
Lukas has accomplished it all in his career.
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With 4,839 victories, totaling more than $280 million in purse earnings, and 14 Triple Crown races, including four Kentucky Derby wins, he's truly the "Godfather of horse racing."
He's also working as a mentor to a lot of trainers along the way.
"These guys are making such an impact on their own, I think in the long run that could be our legacy," he said. "There's 13 of them all very successful."
Lukas is turning 87 in September and still feels healthy and passionate about the sport. He says as long as he stays in good health, and maintains a strong stable of horses, he's not going anywhere.
"If you got a passion for something, you don't make any excuses at all, you eliminate them," Lukas said. "I feel that passion yet and I eliminate all excuses."