Lukas Lists LUV GOV and FLYING PRIVATE as Belmont Entries

by Kim Thomas

Four time Belmont winner and Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has stated he will enter two horses, LUV GOV and FLYING PRIVATE in the million dollar Belmont Stakes on June 6th.

LUV GOV -- named after New York Governor Elliot Spitzer -- races for the Marylou Whitney Stables. Apparently LUV GOV is working out in Louisville in preparation for the 1 1/2 mile Grade I race, the third in the ultimate triumvirate of Thoroughbred racing, the Grade I Belmont Stakes.

LUV GOV is the son of 2003 Belmont Stakes runner-up and Travers winner TEN MOST WANTED, but he's raced 11 times and only won once; he finished a paltry 8th in the Preakness.

(photo of LUV GOV - first out of the starting gate -- and Kentucky Derby field courtesy of Photos by Z)

Lukas' other entry will be FLYING PRIVATE, son of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner FUSAICHI PEGASUS, who finished 4th in the Preakness, beaten four lengths by the uber-fabulous filly, RACHEL ALEXANDRA. FLYING PRIVATE is owned by Robert C. Baker and William L. Mack.

“Of course, we pointed to the Belmont all spring long, but as the race gets closer, you want to see horses show you something,” said Lukas, whose four Belmont Stakes winners were in 1994 with TABASCO CAT, THUNDER GULCH in 1995, EDITOR'S NOTE in 1996 and 2000 Belmont winner, COMMENDABLE. Lukas, who has not had a Belmont Stakes starter since 2005 when A.P. ARROW ran fifth, had stated earlier in the week that both LUV GOV and FLYING PRIVATE were questionable for the Belmont but after watching their workouts , he apparently has confidence they have the energy to make it through the long mile-and-a-half race.

pray for peace, y'all,

Kimmy