Florida-bred Earns $3,000 FTBOA Export Incentive

BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Florida-bred Captain Luke drew off in the stretch to upset a $100,560 maiden special weight at Churchill Downs Thursday, winning by five-and-a-half lengths for trainer Steve Asmussen. The Florida-bred colt was let go at odds of 15-1 in the five-furlong test with nine 2-year-olds.

In addition to earning $49,056 for owners Corinne and William L. Heiligbrodt of Houston and Ken T. Reimer of Miami, Fla., Captain Luke picked up a $3,000 Export Incentive paid by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association to breeder Mast Thoroughbreds for winning the out-of-state maiden special weight.

Ridden by Keith Asmussen from post five, Captain Luke raced in the three-path down the backstretch, a length off pace-setter Beach Sandals through a quarter-mile split in :22.84. Captain Luke closed in coming off the turn, stuck a head in front past the three-sixteenths marker and opened up in the final furlong to finish in :58.77 on the fast track. Beach Sandals was second while Crossfire finished another length back in third. 

Captain Luke paid $33.12 to win.

 

A dark bay or brown son of Knicks Go, Captain Luke is out of the winning Quality Road mare Well Hello, who also won her first race. 

Captain Luke is a graduate of the 2025 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Winter Mixed Sale where he was purchased by MJ Stables for $30,000 out of the Journeyman Bloodstock Services consignment. Eight months later, he sold for $210,00 to Aspire Equine at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale where he was consigned by Eaton Sales.

Return to the May 15 issue of Wire to Wire