Lukas Takes Record Fifth Bashford Manor

Duality, a 2-year-old son of Seeking the Gold, rallied under jockey Calvin Borel to wear down pacesetter Strait Cat for a half-length victory in Sunday's $139,125 Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. II), the feature on the final day of Churchill Down's spring meet. The victory was the third in a row and the record fifth overall in the Bashford Manor for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Strait Cat, who set a blistering pace of :20.73 for the opening quarter-mile, held on for second, followed by Lukas-trained Take Arms, 2-1 favorite Firststatedeposit, Goost, One Special Judge, Dependable Leader, Alaskan Star, and Wheat Penny.

Duality settled into fifth as Strait Cat and Take Arms dueled the first half-mile, getting the distance in :44.25. Strait Cat assumed the lead from Take Arms and Duality began his run as the field neared the top of the stretch. Moved to the outside at the eighth pole, Duality bore down on Strait Cat and caught him with about 50 yards to go. In running six furlongs in final time of 1:10.09, Duality paid $12.60, $6.80, and $4.60, with Strait Cat returning $10.60 and $8.00, and Take Arms paying $5.80.

Produced from the Roberto mare Jody G., Duality was bred in Kentucky by the Phillips Racing Partnership. The colt races for his breeder and Padua Stables. He has won two of three starts, breaking his maiden at Churchill on May 27 after finishing second in his career debut.

"I think he's going to want a route," said Lukas assistant Mike Maker. "I don't think we've seen the best of him." (Chart, Equibase)