Watch: Lukas sees an improved Seize the Grey for Belmont

Horse Racing Nation’s Andrew Capone talked with Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas on Thursday at Saratoga about his Belmont Stakes contender Seize the Grey.

The Arrogate colt won the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard and came back two weeks later to lead at every call in winning the Preakness.

“This one, it looks like it might be even better,” Lukas said. “I think he’s a little stronger, a little more focused.”

With a 50 percent chance of rain on Saturday, Lukas was asked about the track surface after his Preakness win came on a muddy track.

“I think if my colleagues go over there thinking that the dry track is going to hinder him, they’re going to get a real big surprise.”

Lukas also explained why he opted to run the Arrogate colt in the Pat Day Mile rather than try to run for the roses. Seize the Grey won that race by 1 1/2 lengths at 9-1 odds.