Rattle N Roll ‘Stronger Than Ever’ for Lukas Basic

Grade 1 winner Rattle N Roll  is again in motion at Churchill Downs Sept. 28 within the $500,000 Lukas Basic (G2), his first begin since operating in the identical race one 12 months in the past.

“We’re actual enthusiastic about him, he is come again stronger than ever,” stated coach Kenny McPeek.

A number one contender within the older horse division within the first half of 2023, Fortunate Seven Secure’s son of Join   suffered bone bruising that put him on the sidelines after consecutive off-the-board finishes to shut out the 12 months. The 5-year-old returned to the worktab July 20 and has breezed weekly ever since.

Bred by St. Simon Place, Rattle N Roll has gained eight of 21 begins, successful in graded firm 5 instances and banking $1,732,141 in earnings. Though not an official prep for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Basic (G1), McPeek sees the 1 1/8-mile Lukas as an opportunity to ship his dependable runner to Del Mar Nov. 2.

“He wants to leap again within the sport and run huge, he is completely able to doing that,” McPeek stated. “If he can win this race, I am going to take him to the (Breeders’ Cup) Basic.”

Traditionally, Rattle N Roll has benefitted from some tempo forward of him, one thing jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. will hope to settle behind after breaking from put up 2.

The Opponents

On paper, there doesn’t look like a lot tempo amongst Rattle N Roll’s seven rivals. That bodes properly for Cooke Creek  from put up 4, who makes his first graded stakes begin since June 2023.

The 5-year-old Uncle Mo   gelding was placed on the lead by Jose Ortiz for the primary time in a 12 months Could 27, taking the sector all the best way over 1 1/16 miles to win that claiming race by two lengths. He was claimed for $40,000 that day by Flying P Secure and coach Mike Maker.

In two allowance begins for the brand new connections, he has prompted the tempo to victory by a mixed 8 1/4 lengths whereas posting Equibase Pace Figures over 100. Jockey Luis Saez takes over within the saddle as Jose Ortiz will pilot Rigney Racing’s Warrior Johny  from the far outdoors.

Wathnan Racing’s Hit Present  joins Cooke Creek as the one contenders getting into off a victory, which the 4-year-old colt picked up within the Aug. 4 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes (G3) at Mountaineer On line casino Racetrack & Resort. A contender on the Triple Crown path as a 3-year-old, Hit Present has gained two of three begins this 12 months for coach Brad Cox. Florent Geroux will experience from put up 6 as Hit Present carries 123 kilos, two greater than all his opponents.

Churchill Downs’ main rider Tyler Gaffalione rides Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Disarm  for the primary time since his maiden victory in August 2022. The 4-year-old Gun Runner   colt was final seen ending third within the Sept. 1 Jockey Membership Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.

Grade 1 winner Stilleto Boy  returned from a seven-month layoff Aug. 31 by sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs on turf in allowance firm. Seventh that day, the Shackleford  gelding now returns to his common grime route in the hunt for crossing the $2 million earnings mark.