Four-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas has returned to Churchill Downs after recovering from Covid-19. Lukas, who celebrated his 85th birthday on Wednesday, described his illness as severe, saying he struggled to breathe and felt as if he was drifting away. “I couldn’t get any air and I felt like I was drifting,” he recalled, hoping others could appreciate the value of just one breath.
Despite taking precautions such as wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding meals with others, Lukas remains unsure how he contracted the virus. Fortunately, his wife, who took care of him, tested negative twice. “You would have thought she’d get it,” Lukas said, “but now I feel better than I did a month ago.”
He emphasized the importance of taking the pandemic seriously and protecting oneself. “I see people taking it lightly, whether they’re my age or 20, and that’s a mistake,” he warned. “I’ll wear a mask. I won’t gamble with my fate.”
Based out of Churchill Downs during spring and summer, Lukas frequently oversees horses there and has an impressive record, including 14 Triple Crown race wins. He last participated in the Preakness Stakes with Oxbow in 2013 and has amassed 4,839 career victories and over $282 million in earnings. Although he’s started 49 horses in the Kentucky Derby — second most all-time — he has no entries this year, with his last Derby horse running two years ago.
Fan Take: D. Wayne Lukas’s battle with Covid-19 is a sobering reminder of the pandemic’s reach, even affecting legendary figures in horse racing. His recovery and continued advocacy for safety highlight the need for the sport to prioritize health as racing looks ahead to the future.
