Multiple graded stakes winner Rattle N Roll spent the majority of the summer based at Saratoga for trainer Kenny McPeek but has now made his return to Churchill Downs and will attempt to round back into form in Saturday's $500,000 Lukas Classic (Grade 2).
Tabbed as the 7-5 morning line choice in the 1 1/8-mile Lukas Classic, Rattle N Roll finished a disappointing sixth four weeks ago in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga.
“He was just a bit flat in that race,” said jockey Brain Hernandez Jr., who's been aboard Rattle N Roll for 17 of his 20-career starts. “The race shape didn't help him much, either. There wasn't a whole lot of speed and he never really made up any ground. He ran a little bit like this earlier in the year (in the New Orleans Classic) where he just seemed to need the race.”
Owned by Lucky Seven Stables, Rattle N Roll reeled off three consecutive victories following the March 25 New Orleans Classic (G2). His win-streak started at Keeneland where he was victorious in the Ben Ali (G3). One month later, Rattle N Roll vanned to Pimlico where he defeated Speed Bias by a scant nose in the Pimlico Special (G3). McPeek opted to run Rattle N Roll back on just two weeks rest but the move proved successful when he won the Blame (G3) at Churchill Downs.
“There looks to be some speed in the Lukas Classic,” Hernandez said. “That should definitely benefit him and the return back to Churchill should help as well.”
Rattle N Roll arrived back to Louisville on Tuesday from upstate New York. The 4-year-old son of Connect drew post No. 4 in the Lukas Classic.
Saturday's 10th running of the Lukas Classic will go as Race 10 of 11 with a post time of 5:26 p.m. Saturday's stellar program from Churchill Downs also will feature the $400,000 Ack Ack (G3) – a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” event for the Dirt Mile (G1) – and the $200,000 Jefferson Cup. First post is 12:45 p.m.
Here is the Lukas Classic field from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):
- Happy American (James Graham, Neil Pessin, 8-1);
- Clapton (Cristian Torres, Summers, 6-1);
- Warrant (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox, 8-1);
- Rattle N Roll (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek, 7-5);
- Trademark (Martin Garcia, Vicki Oliver, 12-1);
- Blue Devil (Ricardo Santana Jr., Jeff Hiles, 20-1);
- Whelen Springs (Jose Ferrer, Lindsay Schultz, 12-1);
- Five Star General (Corey Lanerie, Grant Forster, 15-1); and
- Americanrevolution (Tyler Gaffalione, Todd Pletcher, 5-2).
Fans can wager on all the action from Churchill Downs on www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated. The Lukas Classic, along with every race from Churchill Downs, is broadcast on FanDuel TV and the FanDuel TV+ app.
The post Early Speed Would Benefit Rattle N Roll In Lukas Classic appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
