| Class: | Grade II |
| Horse Race: | Lukas Classic Stakes |
| Location: | Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, USA |
| Inaugurated: | 2013 (as Homecoming Classic Stakes) |
| Race Type: | Thoroughbred - Flat racing - Dirt |
| Website: | Churchill Downs |
| Distance: | miles (9 furlongs) |
| Surface: | Dirt |
| Track: | Left-handed |
| Qualification: | Three-Year-Olds and older |
| Weight: | Base weights with allowances: 4-year-olds and up: 125 lbs. 3-year-olds: 122 lbs. |
| Purse: | $500,000 (2022) |
The Lukas Classic Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three years old and older, over a distance of miles on the dirt held annually in September at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. The event currently carries a purse of $500,000.
The race was inaugurated in 2013, as the Homecoming Classic Stakes with a stakes purse of $175,000.[1]
In 2015 the event was renamed to the Lukas Classic Stakes after U.S. Racing Hall of Fame horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Churchill Downs administration indicated that the change of name to Lukas Classic was "to salute Lukas' accomplishments, contributions and influence on Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, and the horse industry."[2] Lukas has won the Kentucky Derby and the Oaks four times apiece.[2]
Previously a Listed race, it was upgraded to Grade III status for 2017 by the American Graded Stakes Committee.[3]
In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Churchill Downs did not schedule the event in their updated meeting.[1]
In 2022 the American Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the event to Grade II.[4]
Speed record:
Margins:
Most wins
Most wins by a jockey
Most wins by a trainer
Most wins by an owner
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lukas Classic Stakes | |||||||||
| 2023 | Clapton | Cristian Torres | Chad Summers | RRR Racing | 1:48.79 | $438,660 | II | [5] | |
| 2022 | Hot Rod Charlie | Tyler Gaffalione | Doug O'Neill | Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, William Strauss, & Gainesway Farm | 1:49.77 | $498,000 | II | [6] | |
| 2021 | Knicks Go | Joel Rosario | Brad H. Cox | Korea Racing Authority | 1:47.85 | $400,000 | III | [7] | |
| 2020 | Race not held | ||||||||
| 2019 | Mocito Rojo | Gerard Melancon | Shane Wilson | Wayne T. Davis | 1:48.91 | $250,000 | III | [8] | |
| 2018 | Tyler Gaffalione | Chad Summers | Shadai Farm, J Stables, Head of Plains Part.,M.S., D., C. Summers, M. Kisber | 1:48.64 | $200,000 | III | [9] | ||
| 2017 | Honorable Duty | DARRS | 1:49.42 | $300,000 | III | [10] | |||
| 2016 | Noble Bird | Julien R. Leparoux | John C. Oxley | 1:49.03 | $175,000 | Listed | [11] | ||
| 2015 | Geothermal | Robby Albarado | A. L. Luedtke | 1:49.93 | $175,000 | Listed | [12] | ||
| Homecoming Classic Stakes | |||||||||
| 2014 | Cigar Street | Shaun Bridgmohan | J. Ballis & R. Lewis | 1:49.87 | $135,000 | [13] | |||
| 2013 | Janice R. Whitham | 1:48.58 | $191,275 | [14] | |||||