12/01/2012 7:35PM

Gulfstream Park: Jewel victory by Parent's Honor completes four-win day for Maker, Ramseys

By Mike Welsch
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Courtney Stafford
Parent's Honor, ridden by Alan Garcia, outgames Dominant Jeannes to win the $200,000 Jewel.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Mike Maker and his principal owners, Ken and Sarah Ramsey, capped off a memorable afternoon when Parent’s Honor rallied from near the rear of the field to capture the $200,000 Jewel for their fourth Claiming Crown victory on Saturday’s opening day program at Gulfstream Park. The Claiming Crown was held at Gulfstream for the first time this year.

Parent’s Honor ($34.40) proved three-quarters of a length better than Dominant Jeannes, who in turn finished 2 1/2 lengths clear of Flatter This in the Jewel. Private Tale, the 9-5 favorite, raced well placed but weakened late to be fourth.  Parent’s Honor also completed the Claiming Crown pick seven that returned $6,030 for six of seven winners. 

The four victories made Maker the winningest trainer in Claiming Crown history, 10 of his 11 victories coming for the Ramseys. The potent owner-trainer combination had won earlier in the day with Brother Bird (Iron Horse), Bernie the Maestro (Rapid Transit), and Starsilhouette (Tiara). They narrowly missed a fifth Claiming Crown win with Major Marvel, who was beaten a head by Nikki’s Sandcastle in the Emerald.

Parent’s Honor, who had Maker scratching his head after finishing far back in his two starts since being haltered for $35,000 at Saratoga in mid-August, raced well off the early pace of Willy Elliott through the opening five furlongs of the 1 1/8-mile Jewel. Parent’s Honor commenced his rally on the turn, with Alan Garcia guiding him through a narrow opening near midstretch to continue a bid that allowed him to run down Dominant Jeannes, who had gained a short advantage in early stretch.

“I’d say we should be called the king  and queen of the Claiming Crown,” said Ramsey. “My wife, we’ve got to put her in. We had gone six for nine before [in the Claiming Crown] and I didn’t think it was possible to make that kind of percentage down here but my God, we got four out six and also lost by a nostril and got a third. I can’t believe it! ”

Maker said he had been expecting the type of effort he got from Parent’s Honor in the Jewel in each of his two prior starts off the claim.

“I’d been touting this horse for two races and every time he made me shake my head and roll my eyes,” said Maker. “Finally he showed up and ran as well as he’d trained.”

 

                  

 

Advance Plumbing More than 1 year ago
Without Kittens Joy what would they have any one know?
Carl Poehler More than 1 year ago
Everybody is worried about doping horses but after listening to Ken Ramsey's rant after winning 4 at Gulfstream, it sounded like he had about 3 acres of Columbia's finest packed into his sinuses.
Mike More than 1 year ago
Ken Ramsey is exactly the type of owner the sport DOESN'T need. Every time he's interviewed, he makes me cringe.
victor More than 1 year ago
Flatter This got a terrible ride in the Jewel. Jose lost more ground then any other horse I have bet in a long time. That first turn in the mile, and a eighth races at Gulfstream is murder. That said He still lost more ground than possible to win the race.
chad mc rory More than 1 year ago
So put that in the memory bank. He'll be back!
chad mc rory More than 1 year ago
To Mssrs Stronach and Ritvo, I don't know what you have done to the local press in South Florida but here's the read on Sunday morning after opening day. The Sun Sentinal.com has a 'front page' story about doping horses in Florida and in The Miami Herald.com you must go to their Sports 'other' section to even find a story covering Gulfstream. Not too freindly.
Mike More than 1 year ago
Ken Ramsey needs to pay his training bills from the past. Until then, he's king of nothing other than dead beat owner's. Why do you think he doesn't train for Romans, Mott, Werner, etc. like he did years ago. Look it up.