Churchill Downs Picks: Grade 2 Lukas Classic Stakes (9/26/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sat Sep 26, 2026, 8:00 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
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Churchill Downs picks are here for a 11-race card topped by the Grade 2 Lukas Classic Stakes. Expert analysis from @handicappingT3 is here to help you make the most of the Saturday, September 26,2026 card.
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Churchill Downs Full Card Analysis
Churchill Downs: Grade 2 Lukas Classic Stakes (9/26/2026)
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 11:45 AM CT; Claiming $20k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #6 MISS BOURBON (4-1): Major Player. Meaningful class relief today. Barn has been solid with this exact move.
- #7 LEXI'S MELODY (5-1): Major Player. Consistently runs above the level it faces. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest.
- #8 SHE'S GOTTA GO (8-1): Contender. Figures fit comfortably at this level. The 5.3 speed rating is among the top in the group.
- #5 CLICK (12-1): Contender. Distance change should suit. Top connections on the circuit with Pauly and Bahena.
Selections: 6 – 7 – 8 – 5
The Plays
Win: #6 at 5-2
Trifecta: 6,7 / 6,7,8,5 / 6,7,8,5
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 12:16 PM CT; Starter Allowance $20k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #5 SHOW TIME (2-1): Major Player. Speed numbers are right there with the top group. Jacobson and Bejarano team up, and that combination wins its share.
- #2 DEFENDING ALBERT (8-1): Major Player. Improving with each start. Running 4 above par is the tell here.
- #6 MARGIN OF AIR (9-2): Contender. Recent form lines measure up to these. Needs to bounce back from a dull effort.
- #3 COACH CRONIN (3-1): Contender. Outruns the class par more often than not. Runs better than the bare figures indicate once class is factored in.
Selections: 5 – 2 – 6 – 3
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-2
Trifecta: 5,2 / 5,2,6,3 / 5,2,6,3
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 12:46 PM CT; Maiden Claiming $30k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #6 TELECASTER (4-1): Major Player. Owns the fastest recent figure in the field at 89. Strong connections with Holsapple sending out Antongeorgi.
- #1 CHARTERED (6-1): Major Player. The work tab reads like a horse ready to run, not one being educated. Bred to be effective on this surface right away.
- #8 TASK FORCE O (5-2): Contender. Has been exceeding what the level demands. Has the numbers to be involved late.
- #4 ROMAN ROGUE (3-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Stewart has the barn rolling and keeps Torres aboard.
Selections: 6 – 1 – 8 – 4
The Plays
Win: #6 at 5-2
Pick 3 (Races 3-5): #6,1 with #4 with #2,10,3
Trifecta: 6,1 / 6,1,8,4 / 6,1,8,4
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 1:18 PM CT; Allowance $127k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 7 runners.
- #4 EVA READY (7-5): Best Bet of the Card. Figures have climbed in three straight. The Brown barn strikes at a healthy clip in this spot. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #2 CINISTER CIX (4-1): Major Player. Quick enough to matter in the closing stages. Form lines read well against this group.
- #7 ZAP D'ETAT (6-1): Contender. Competitive in the same class recently. De takes the mount for House, which is worth noting.
- #3 ON PAR (5-2): Contender. Has been facing this kind and holding its own. Numbers are competitive with anything else entered.
Selections: 4 – 2 – 7 – 3
The Plays
Win: #4 at 8-5
Exacta: 4 / 2,7
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 1:49 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 7 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.
- #3 FIESTABOWLFOREMIKE (9-2): Major Player. No class question at this level. Belongs on class and should be in the mix.
- #5 SLADE (15-1): Major Player. Has been drilling steadily into the debut. Serious work pattern behind this first start.
- #6 MOUNTAIN VALLEY (20-1): Contender. The morning line of works shows a horse wound up for the opener. Enough recorded works to trust the fitness.
- #7 RED PACK'S CANDY (20-1): Contender. The page says this one should handle the trip first time out. Pedigree ratings support an immediate run.
Selections: 3 – 5 – 6 – 7
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Trifecta: 3,5 / 3,5,6,7 / 3,5,6,7
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 2:21 PM CT; Allowance $127k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #3 COUPLET (9-5): Major Player. Bred to handle the added ground.
- #1 LADY LAW (6-1): Major Player. Clearly moving forward off the last two. Connections are as strong as any in the race.
- #7 LOBBY RENDEZVOUS (15-1): Contender. Works suggest readiness off the layoff. Training pattern points to a live return.
- #6 PASSIONFRUIT (7-2): Contender. On a steady upward trend.
Selections: 3 – 1 – 7 – 6
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Trifecta: 3,1 / 3,1,7,6 / 3,1,7,6
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 2:54 PM CT; Allowance $127k; 1 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.
- #4 SONGADEEWIN (8-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Has been knocking on the door in similar spots. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #5 GONE AND PLENTY (6-1): Major Player. Consistent enough to be a factor at this level. Best late pace figure in the field at 92.
- #10 DONIE MARONIE (8-1): Contender. Pedigree says the surface switch is worth a try.
- #11 EPERNAY (15-1): Contender. Much better than the last line indicates.
Selections: 4 – 5 – 10 – 11
The Plays
Win: #4 at 7-2
Trifecta: 4,5 / 4,5,10,11 / 4,5,10,11
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 3:26 PM CT; Bourbon Flight Stakes $300k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
- #6 LOCAL KNOWLEDGE (3-1): Major Player. Ran at this level last out.
- #1 PLUTARCH (5-2): Major Player. Improving with each start.
- #5 STIMULATE (9-5): Contender. Figures fit comfortably at this level.
- #2 BLACKOUT TIME (6-1): Contender. Competitive in the same class recently.
Selections: 6 – 1 – 5 – 2
The Plays
Win: #6 at 5-2
Trifecta: 6,1 / 6,1,5,2 / 6,1,5,2
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 3:58 PM CT; Grade 3 Ack Ack Stakes $400k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #4 BISHOPS BAY (9-5): Major Player. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #6 COAL BATTLE (8-1): Major Player. Record over this surface and trip stands out.
- #3 OWEN ALMIGHTY (7-2): Contender. The 102 speed rating is among the top in the group.
- #8 NU WHAT'S NEW (3-1): Contender. Figures have climbed in three straight.
Selections: 4 – 6 – 3 – 8
The Plays
Win: #4 at 5-2
Trifecta: 4,6 / 4,6,3,8 / 4,6,3,8
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 4:29 PM CT; Grade 2 Lukas Classic Stakes $500k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #7 CHUNK OF GOLD (2-1): Major Player. Has handled this exact setup before.
- #1 THIS IS USCAR (8-1): Major Player. Clearly moving forward off the last two.
- #3 TIZTASTIC (4-1): Contender. Course and distance record is the strongest here.
- #5 ORIGINAL SIN (3-1): Contender. Consistently runs above the level it faces.
Selections: 7 – 1 – 3 – 5
The Plays
Win: #7 at 5-2
Trifecta: 7,1 / 7,1,3,5 / 7,1,3,5
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 11
Post Time: 5:01 PM CT; Claiming $80k; 1 3/8 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.
- #9 HEREFORAGOODTIME (8-1): Major Player. Knows the surface and the trip, which counts for plenty.
- #8 CENIZA PAMPA (6-1): Major Player. Drops to a level that should suit.
- #1 ROYAL JUSTICE (8-1): Contender. Should get loose on an uncontested lead.
- #3 SOL D'ORO (3-1): Contender. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest.
Selections: 9 – 8 – 1 – 3
The Plays
Win: #9 at 5-2
Exacta: 9 / 8,1
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Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.
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