Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas tarined 24 champion Quarter Horses before making his switch to Thoroughbreds.

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LEXINGTON, KY–MARCH 8, 2024–National Racing Hall of Fame and AQHA Racing Hall of Fame Trainer D. Wayne Lukas trains and co-owns a Kentucky-bred two-year old that he is looking to possibly make its debut at the Sandy Ridge At The Red Mile meet in Lexington, Kentucky.

The legendary Thoroughbred trainer, who is a four-time Kentucky Derby winner with twenty-Breeders Cup wins to his credit, started his training career in Quarter Horse racing in the 1960's.

Prior to his enormously-successful career in Thoroughbred racing, Lukas began with Quarter Horses that included the likes of Dash For Cash, Flight 109, Little Blue Sheep and She’s Precious.  He trained 24-World Champion in Quarter Horse racing and was inducted to the AQHA Hall of Fame in 2007.

"I am very excited about the influx of Quarter Horse racing here in Kentucky," said Lukas. "My wife Laurie and I own this colt with owner Meg Levy, and we had targeted giving the horse a start here in Kentucky at the Red Mile meet.  My roots in training are in the Quarter Horses, and we want to give support to the racing program in Kentucky.   It would be fantastic to see it grow into something that drives the industry."

The 2024 Sandy Ridge at the Red Mile Quarter Horse meet begins on Sunday March 17th in Lexington Kentucky with daily average purse totals of $200,000 on an 8-race card.   The 2024 meet is highlighted by two stakes events: $45,000-added Cherokee Overnight Purse on March 17th and the $45,000-Added BOCO Overnight Stakes on closing day March 26th.

The six-days of Quarter Horse racing are March 17, 18, 19 and March 24, 25, and 26th.  In 2024, Sandy Ridge is offering incentive to both the owner and trainer of starters during the six-day meet.

Owners who start a horse at Sandy Ridge at will receive the greater of $500 or purse money earned from the race, and trainers will receive the greater of $200 or purse money earned per horse started.

As a condition of entry for any horse making a start at the 2024 Sandy Ridge at the Red Mile meet, every starter shall either submit the results of a negative hair sample test that is within 30-days of the race or have a hair sample pulled by a commission veterinarian prior to the race and await release of purse money once results from testing lab are received. 

First day of entries for the 2024 meet is Wednesday March 13th.

CLICK HERE for the 2024 Sandy Ridge Racing at The Red Mile Quarter Horse Condition Book.

KYRC license is required for all participants.  Visit: www.khrc.ky.gov for forms and information.  For additional information visit the track' website.