Mystik Dan, winner of the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1), will square off against Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Hit Show in next Saturday’s 12th running of the $500,000 Lukas Classic (G2), the marquee event of the Churchill Downs September Meet.

The 1 1/8-mile Lukas Classic is the featured 10th race on Saturday’s 11-race program. First post is 12:45 p.m. (ET) with the Lukas Classic field scheduled to go to post at 5:29 p.m.

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Also on the Saturday card is the 33rd running of the $400,000 Ack Ack (G3) in Race 8.

Mystik Dan, campaigned by 4 G Racing, Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hemby III and Valley View Farm, has tackled a wide range of challenges during his 4-year-old campaign. After a disappointing run in the Pegasus World Cup (G1), the Kenny McPeek trainee rebounded with a narrow second to Saudi Crown in Oaklawn’s Lake Ouachita Stakes and a 1¼-length victory in the Blame Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. His summer campaign included a fourth-place finish in the Stephen Foster (G1) and a try on turf in the Arlington Million (G1) at Colonial Downs, where he finished fourth, beaten 3½ lengths. Regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr., who guided Mystik Dan to Derby glory nearly 17 months ago, retains the mount from post No. 5.

Along with Mystik Dan, McPeek also entered last year’s Clark Stakes (G2) winner Rattle N Roll. Owned in partnership by Sharaf Mohamad Alhariri and Lucky Seven Stable, Rattle N Roll was campaigned globally following the Clark, winning the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3) prior to a fifth-place finish in the Saudi Cup (G1) and an eighth in the Dubai World Cup (G1). Julien Leparoux has the call from post 3.

Wathnan Racing’s Hit Show returns to defend his Lukas Classic crown for trainer Brad Cox. After last year’s victory, the son of Candy Ride went on to add wins in the Fayette (G2) and Louisiana Stakes (G3) prior to a Grade 1 score in the Dubai World Cup. After returning to North America, Hit Show finished fifth in the Stephen Foster, which was followed by a repeat score in the West Virginia Governor’s Cup (L) at Mountaineer. Florent Geroux will ride from post 2.

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Another accomplished contender is Lawrence P. Roman and David Jacobson’s Banishing. The versatile 5-year-old gelding enters the Lukas Classic off a sharp 2¼-length win in the Charles Town Classic (G2). His resumé includes victories at six different distances from six furlongs to 1 1/8 miles. Tyler Gaffalione has the mount in the Lukas Classic from post 7.

The Lukas Classic honors the iconic Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who passed away in late June at the age of 89. Lukas was a four-time winner of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks and conditioner of 26 Eclipse Award-winning champions.

His widow, Laurie Lukas, will be on hand to present the trophy to the victor.

The complete field for the Lukas Classic from the rail out with ( jockey, trainer):
Willy D’s (Luis Saez, Mike Maker)
Hit Show (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox)
Rattle N Roll (Julien Leparoux, Kenny McPeek)
Prince of Power (Manny Esquivel, Jesus Esquivel)
Mystik Dan (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek)
Disarm (Irad Ortiz Jr., Steve Asmussen)
Banishing (Tyler Gaffalione, David Jacobson)

This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Sep 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.