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General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: JT on June 22, 2025, 06:48:37 PM

Title: Wayne Lucas
Post by: JT on June 22, 2025, 06:48:37 PM
I know this should probably go on the thoroughbred forum, but it will get more views here. There is an article on the Paulick Report and other news outlets that he is in the hospital with a severe infection and he has declined an "aggressive " treatment and will be going home soon to spend his last amount of time with his family.He is no longer going to be training horses. It sounds like he doesn't have much time left. He will go down as one of the greatest trainers of all time. Prayers to his family and friends.
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Kirbys Ace on June 22, 2025, 06:58:11 PM
I don't think he was actually training lately. Just raced in his name as trainer. Just like Baffert and most others. The actual trainer gets no respect on paper because big money owners want big name trainers listed on the program.
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Pacer 2 on June 22, 2025, 07:17:34 PM
He was training recently and prayers go out to one of the best.
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: captain morgan on June 22, 2025, 07:57:31 PM
Sad to hear. 1 of the great ones
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Dingus on June 22, 2025, 08:10:40 PM
The list of assistant trainers that went out on their own after working for “The Coach” is impressive.
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: luker2453 on June 22, 2025, 10:06:40 PM
I hope that he lives his remaining days comfortably and pain free.  What a career this man had!
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Checked Up on June 22, 2025, 10:38:51 PM
He never opened his mouth unless he had something important to say! Many prayers 🙏!
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Grandstand Handicapper on June 22, 2025, 11:30:48 PM
A true legend and a great ambassador for the sport and business. Thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. I hope he is comfortable and enjoys his time with his family. All the best to one of the best of all time.
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Grandstand Handicapper on June 22, 2025, 11:42:35 PM
A recent question to DWL...

https://www.wdrb.com/d-wayne-lukas-retires-from-racing-amid-serious-health-issues/video_1e44e00c-2100-56fd-96b3-be969aa0a0fb.html

At home on hospice care...so glad he's going to be comfortable and enjoy his remaining time...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/horseracing/2025/06/22/horse-racing-trainer-d-wayne-lukas-retires-hospitalized/84311188007/
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Mohawk mac on June 23, 2025, 05:24:35 PM
Sad news indeed. 
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Ohracing on June 23, 2025, 05:39:34 PM
The list of assistant trainers that went out on their own after working for “The Coach” is impressive.

I dont follow the runners but the triple crown and Breeders Cup.  Can you give me a brief list?
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Grandstand Handicapper on June 23, 2025, 06:07:06 PM
https://www.facebook.com/NBCSports/videos/steve-kornacki-catches-up-with-legendary-trainer-d-wayne-lukas/1196866635468439/

Cool interview, just last month at the Preakness. Wayne in his usual spot, on the pony, doing what he's been doing for decades. Two months short of 90 years old. Check out the look on the kid's face, and the woman too, when Wayne walks up on his pony and gives the kid an autographed card. Really cool. Mark Casse's words could not be more true. Icon. Respect. GOAT.
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: seen2much on June 23, 2025, 08:03:24 PM
The list of assistant trainers that went out on their own after working for “The Coach” is impressive.
I saw this in an article.
But no organization has produced
more top trainers than “Team Lukas,” which
ruled racing through the 1980s and for most
of the ‘90s. Run by former Quarter Horse
trainer D. Wayne Lukas and, for many
years, his son Jeff, the names of the trainers
who graduated from Lukas Academy can fill
a Who’s Who of leading horsemen. Among
the dozen or so who have gone on to
successful training careers are Todd
Pletcher, Kiaran McLaughlin, Dallas
Stewart, Mark Hennig, Randy Bradshaw,
George Weaver (who became an assistant to
Pletcher), Bobby Barnett, and Mike Maker.
Big Assist: Assistant trainers are the glue that holds big stables together
By Steve Haskin
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: LUCPARK on June 23, 2025, 08:36:55 PM
Sad to hear. 1 of the great ones
tmbz1
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Dingus on June 23, 2025, 08:47:51 PM
I dont follow the runners but the triple crown and Breeders Cup.  Can you give me a brief list?

Thanks to seen2much for answering.
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Harness Racing Revolution on June 23, 2025, 08:59:42 PM
I sure hope you all feel this way when Burke retires.... ngc3
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: LUCPARK on June 23, 2025, 09:36:41 PM
Thanks to seen2much for answering.

Winning colors only filly to win. The derby

I forget other three.  I believe
gulch  and

Carasmatic anorher derby winner
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: seen2much on June 23, 2025, 10:26:06 PM
I sure hope you all feel this way when Burke retires.... ngc3
Does anyone know the list of top assistant trainers that worked for Burke?
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Harness Racing Revolution on June 23, 2025, 10:42:13 PM
Does anyone know the list of top assistant trainers that worked for Burke?

Isn't it like the mafia? Once you're in you can't get out???
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: seen2much on June 23, 2025, 10:50:12 PM
Isn't it like the mafia? Once you're in you can't get out???
ngc3 ngc3 ngc3
I think many would want to go out on their own & earn big dollars.
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: kantseeback on June 23, 2025, 11:09:27 PM
I remember when he was in his prime in the late 80's early 90's. It seemed he had a live horse entered in most of the big races.
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Harnessfan902 on June 24, 2025, 09:47:24 AM
#respect.   One of the greatest.   Enjoy your family
sir!
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Junebug990 on June 24, 2025, 09:59:06 AM
Genuine Risk Won the Kentucky Derby 1980. Leroy Jolley trained that filly.
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Papillon on June 24, 2025, 10:29:06 AM
Regret won the Kentucky Derby in 1915 as a filly

Lukas won the Derby in 1995 with Thunder Gulch and in 1996 with Grindstone and Charismatic in 1999
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Meadow Ford on June 24, 2025, 12:14:09 PM
A gazillion and a half years ago Lukas as a kid raced his pony at the Antigo (his hometown) WI. county fair.
Only a gazillion years ago I raced my Standardbred horses on that same county fair track.
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: dougie on June 24, 2025, 12:53:23 PM
My prayers go out to a great trainer. I respected his ability to train horses and know racing fans will miss him at the track.
Title: Re: Wayne Lucas
Post by: Grandstand Handicapper on June 26, 2025, 08:14:26 PM
https://www.nbcsports.com/horse-racing/news/legendary-trainer-d-wayne-lukas-audacious-obsessed-unparalleled

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