LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

It's been almost two months since Hall of Fame horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas passed away, but his spirit lived on at Churchill Downs on Tuesday.

Hundreds of family, friends and fans gathered to honor Lukas at a remembrance ceremony, including trainers like Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher, to Derby-winning jockeys like Pat Day.

Pletcher trained under Lukas for years, and he was known by the nickname "coach." Pletcher said the lessons the coach brought to horse racing left a lasting legacy.

"He was one of those guys who knew when to rouse you up when you needed that, but he also knew when to pat you on the back, and pick you up a little bit," said Pletcher. "He leaves behind a game that he permanently changed, and a sport that will never be the same without him."

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