Charismatic victory would be crowning achievement for Lukas

 NEW YORK (AP) -- A Triple Crown victory by Charismatic would not only add to the superlative achievements of D. Wayne Lukas' Hall of Fame career. It would also silence some of his critics.
 The strapping chestnut colt could place Lukas in the company of such racing legends as Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons and Plain Ben Jones as trainers if he wins the Belmont Stakes on Saturday and in a tie with Fitzsimmons for the most victories in Triple Crown races with 13.
 A victory by Charismatic also would put Lukas over $200 million in earnings by his horses. The only other trainer with more than $100 million is the late Charlie Whittingham.
 "I'm enjoying getting ready for it because it's a challenge," Lukas said of Charismatic's bid to become only the 12th Triple Crown champion and first since Affirmed in 1978.
 Another challenge is the 63-year-old Lukas' goal of reaching $300 million in earnings -- "maybe in 10 years."
 Lukas is quicker to mention the money milestone than he is to talk about the Triple Crown. He feels it brings credit to his organization for good work over a long period and to the owners who have backed him with the money that purchases top horses.
 "I do keep score," he said. "I think it motivates you. You need a challenge. I don't think there's anything wrong with that."
 Lukas's earnings are more than $199 million going into the Belmont. Charismatic would earn $600,000 for winning the race and a Visa-sponsored $5 million bonus for sweeping the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
 Even if Charismatic fails, the money mark is just a matter of time.
 But getting a chance at winning the Triple Crown might not come again, and if it does, the odds are against success.
 Charismatic will be the seventh 3-year-old to bid for the Triple Crown since Affirmed won it. The six who failed include Silver Charm and Real Quiet the last two years.
 "I think we can win it," Lukas said. "But we are going to be guardedly optimistic. You always have fresh horses coming to the Belmont."
 One of those fresh horses in a 12-horse field is the sensational filly Silverbulletday, trained by Bob Baffert, trainer of Silver Charm and Real Quiet. Another is Best of Luck, winner of the Peter Pan on May 21 at Belmont Park.
 Also out to foil Charismatic's bid will be Menifee, who chased him home in both the Derby and Preakness.
 So while enjoying the challenge, Lukas guards against getting involved in the hoopla.
 Lukas is well versed in the ups and downs of racing and how acclaim can quickly turn to criticism.
 There was a span of about 18 months in which Lukas failed to win a Grade I stakes.
 There was the serious injury to Lukas' son and assistant, Jeff, who was run over by Tabasco Cat in the stable area at Santa Anita in 1993. Jeff now handles administrative duties for the stable.
 There also has been criticism that Lukas is too corporate and that he runs his horses too hard. He shrugs off the first complaint and contends the number of breakdowns in his stable aren't out of line with others.
 "Our record stands any kind of scrutiny," he said.
 "I've learned in this game to pull the top down and the bottom up and stay in the middle," Lukas said.
 That was proven by Tabasco Cat's victory in the 1994 Preakness to end Lukas' bad run.
 Then came six straight wins in Triple Crown races for Lukas -- three in the same year (1995) with Thunder Gulch in the Derby and Belmont and Timber Country in the Preakness.
 Once again, Lukas is the center of attention in the Triple Crown bid with Charismatic, who ran for a $62,500 claiming tag Feb. 11. Lukas admits he misjudged Charismatic's ability, but added, "I wouldn't give up."
 "I've had a really enjoyable spring," Lukas said.
 He was elected to the Hall of Fame on April 27, and there has been his continuing involvement in quarter-horse racing with his fourth wife, Laura, whom he married last year. They race 24 quarter horses, which she trains.
 The competitive fires, however, still burn brightly for Lukas.
 "I used to take the losses a lot better, and I'm more intense on the wins now," he said.
 He got testy with some reporters Monday when asked about breakdowns and how he thought he would be treated if he switched roles with Baffert.
 "I've had a good spring, other than you guys," he told reporters.
 It was quarter-horse racing that launched Lukas, a former teacher and high school basketball coach and assistant coach at Wisconsin.
 For 11 seasons, he ranked among the top 10 quarter-horse trainers until he turned to training thoroughbreds full time in 1978.
 "I think we've kept a level of excellence a long time," Lukas said.
 That excellence includes:
 -- Four Eclipse Awards as outstanding trainer.
 -- Leading trainer in money won an unprecedented 14 times.
 -- Trainer of a record 19 Eclipse Award winners, including Lady's Secret, Horse of the Year in 1986, and Criminal Type, winner of that honor in 1990.
 -- Winner of 13 Breeders' Cup races, the most of any trainer.
 Another statistic Lukas likes to point out isn't in any record book.
 "I'm probably proudest that six of my guys -- my alumni -- are out on their own and doing very well," he said.
 The former Lukas assistants making it as trainers are Mark Hennig, Bobby Barnett, Kiaran McLaughlin, Dallas Stewart, Todd Pletcher and Randy Bradshaw. Barnett had a starter in the Kentucky Derby, and Stewart saddled a horse for both the Derby and Preakness.
 All his former assistants, however, will be spectators Saturday when the boss tries to win the Triple Crown in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont.
 It would be a nice addition to a resume already longer than the Belmont.