Luv Gov, Flying Private Belmont Bound

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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Flying Private, who was 4th in the Preakness, is headed to the Belmont.
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Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas worked both Luv Gov and Flying Private the morning of May 27 at Churchill Downs, and will saddle both in the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Marylou Whitney Stable’s Luv Gov worked in company with Be Fair at 6 a.m. on the fast main track, with Be Fair going in 1:12 and Luv Gov going in 1:12.40. Westrock Stables’ Be Fair will run in the Acorn Stakes (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on Belmont Stakes Day. 

Luv Gov, a son of 2003 Belmont runner-up and Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner Ten Most Wanted, has one only one win in 11 starts and is exiting an eighth-place Preakness Stakes (gr. I) finish.

At 8:30 a.m., Robert C. Baker and William L. Mack’s Flying Private worked in company with Sea Admiral, going six furlongs in 1:15.40, breezing. Flying Private, a son of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus  , was fourth in the Preakness, beaten four lengths by the dazzling filly, Rachel Alexandra.  

“Of course, we pointed to the Belmont all spring long, but as the race gets closer, you want to see horses show you something,” said Lukas.

Lukas, who has not had a Belmont Stakes starter since 2005 when A.P. Arrow ran fifth, listed Luv Gov and Flying Private as questionable for the Belmont Stakes earlier this week and said he would decide their status after they worked.

“This morning, we were more concerned about their energy level than with how they finished out,” said Lukas, who will arrive with his horses May 31. “And we got the response we wanted.

“Also, I wanted to talk to Bob Baker and Bill Mack (owners of Flying Private). They are both New Yorkers and they both want to be at the Belmont. We’re going to run, but, unfortunately, they’ll be somewhere in Europe having dinner with some prime minister.”

Baker and Mack are both involved in real estate and both have been long-time clients of Lukas. Along with David Cornstein, they owned Proud Citizen  , runner-up in the 2002 Kentucky Derby (gr. I).

Lukas added that he will run Thomas F. Van Meter II’s Silver Edition on Belmont Stakes Day in the True North Handicap (gr. II) for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs. The 4-year-old son of Silver Deputy was beaten a head by Ravalo on Preakness Day at Pimlico in the Maryland Sprint (gr. III).

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