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Lukas mulling one of two entries for Louisiana Derby D. Wayne Lukas, the last trainer to complete a Louisiana Derby (G3) and Kentucky Derby (G1) double with Grindstone in 1996, will have a chance to replicate that feat this year with one of two colts under consideration for the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 26. "I'm either going to bring the colt that won here the other day quite impressively," Lukas said, referring to March 12 Oaklawn Park maiden winner DUCA (Empire Maker), "or I've got a horse called QUIET ASSAULT (Quiet American) that I'm considering also." Quiet Assault captured his maiden debut out at Hollywood Park last summer and did not race again until last month, finishing second in a six-furlong allowance at Golden Gate Fields. "He was on the West Coast with Jerry Hollendorfer and I picked him up a month or so ago," Lukas explained. Quiet Assault has had one breeze since joining the Lukas barn, an easy five-eighths move in 1:02 3/5 at Oaklawn on March 9. The other possibility, Duca, broke his maiden at Oaklawn by 1 1/2-lengths in front-running fashion on Saturday and would be running back in two weeks if he tried the Louisiana Derby. "They'll all work at the beginning of next week and then I'll make a decision," Lukas said. "I'm going to bring just one." Lukas also won the Louisiana Derby in 1983 with Balboa Native, who finished ninth in the Kentucky Derby. Probable starters for the nine-furlong Louisiana Derby, compiled from Fair Grounds Racing Office updates, published reports and trainer and jockey agent interviews are Risen Star S. (G3) winner MUCHO MACHO MAN (Macho Uno), Lecomte S. (G3) hero WILKINSON (Lemon Drop Kid), Risen Star fourth and allowance scorer MACHEN (Distorted Humor), undefeated LEFT (Arch) and maiden winner MAJESTIC HARBOR (Rockport Harbor). Considered possible for the race are Gotham S. (G3) fourth NACHO SAINT (Yes It's True) and maiden winners NACHO BUSINESS (Rahy) and TRUMAN'S COMMANDER (Friends Lake).
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