LEGENDARY trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who won the Grade 1 Preakness and Pennsylvania Derby last season with Sieze The Grey, is heading for Churchill Downs again after the Justify colt American Promise won last week’s Virginia Derby in a career-best effort by seven and three quarter lengths from Render Judgment trained by Kenny McPeek and set a track record for nine furlongs on the dirt at Colonial Downs.

Jockey Nik Juarez rode BC Stables’ colt to claim the prize and 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby.

American Promise, by Justify out of a Tapit mare Tapella, was a $750,000 Keeneland September sale purchase.

American Promise pressed the Bob Baffert-trained 4/5 favourite Getaway Car and kicked into top speed coming around the turn, pulling away from the field down the stretch to win impressively.

“I didn’t want to use my horse early, but I knew I had to get forward position with how the track has been playing,” jockey Juarez was quoted afterwards. “I’m just a guy who is lucky enough to be named to ride Mr. Lukas’ horses. To be heading to the Derby for him is a dream come true. American Promise is doing so good. He proved himself out there today.,” he added.

This was the first time the Virginia Derby served as a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby. Now with 29 points, second-placed Render Judgment is also in contention for a spot in Kentucky.

He currently sits in 14th place as he tries to earn a place in the 20-horse field.

Getaway Car’s fourth place, earning 10 points, gives him a total of 46, placing him eighth in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings should his connections decide to go on to Churchill Downs.