Hall of Fame horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas has been hospitalized and will not be returning to training, his family has announced. The news has sent shockwaves through the horse racing world, as Lukas is known for his legendary career and iconic cowboy hat.
In a statement released by the Lukas family, they said, “It is with great sadness that we announce D. Wayne will not be returning to the track. He is currently recovering in the hospital and needs time to focus on his health. We ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
Fans of Lukas have flooded social media with well wishes and support for the beloved trainer. One fan tweeted, “Sending all my positive vibes to D. Wayne Lukas for a speedy recovery. Horse racing won’t be the same without him!”
However, not everyone is convinced that Lukas is truly hanging up his hat for good. One anonymous source close to the family told us, “Don’t believe everything you read. D. Wayne is a tough old cowboy, he’ll be back at the track before you know it. This is just a temporary setback.”
When reached for comment, Lukas himself joked, “I may be down, but I’m not out. I’ll be back in the winner’s circle before you can say ‘Triple Crown’.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Lukas’ future in horse racing, one thing is for sure – the sport will never be the same without his larger-than-life presence and unparalleled talent. As one fake horse owner put it, “Who’s going to train my horses now? I don’t want some amateur with a cowboy hat, I want D. Wayne Lukas!”
We wish D. Wayne Lukas a speedy recovery and hope to see him back at the track soon, cowboy hat and all. In the meantime, the horse racing world will just have to make do without its favorite Hall of Famer.
