Barese's next start possibly Wood Memorial, Maker says

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Mike Maker and his owners have certainly gotten with the program.

In a span of 24 hours, at Aqueduct, Maker won a trio of races with New York-bred 3-year-old colts, capped by Barese’s 1 1/4-length victory in Saturday’s Gander Stakes. On Friday, Maker won statebred races with Rotknee and Pineapple Man.

Barese, a son of Laoban, is the furthest along of the trio having improved his record to 3 for 3 with his victory in the Gander, for which he earned a solid 87 Beyer Speed Figure. Barese, who has been nominated to the Triple Crown, will likely get a chance to earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby by running in the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial here April 9. The Wood’s top four finishers earn qualifying points (100-40-20-10) to the May 7 Kentucky Derby.

Although when reached Sunday Maker had yet to speak to Barese owner Peter Proscia, Maker said “my first inclination would be the Wood. Peter’s from New York. I would say that’s the way we’re leaning. There again, we have to speak.”

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From a pedigree standpoint, Barese didn’t give Maker the impression that he was a distance horse. Training-wise, he did.

“He’s still got to do two turns, but training-wise he gave me the impression the longer the better,” Maker said.

Barese won the Gander, a one-turn-mile race, despite bobbling at the break and losing his left front shoe.

“He continues to impress me,” Maker said. “Not just that he won, but that he bobbled at the break and took a shoe off and to still be able to put in a performance like that was pretty significant.”

Maker, after speaking with his New York crew, said there were no issues with Barese’s foot on Sunday morning.

On Friday, Maker won the final two races on the card with statebreds Pineapple Man and Rotknee.

Rotknee, a son of Runhappy, came off a 6 1/2-month layoff to win a first-level allowance race for New York-breds by three lengths. Maker said the $100,000 Damon Runyon Stakes at seven furlongs on March 13 would likely be the next target for Rotknee.

Maker said Rotknee developed a splint bone injury following his win at Saratoga and needed time off. When bringing the horse back this year, he had the Damon Runyon as an early season goal.

“I thought he would need a race before that,” Maker said.

Rotknee, who is 2 for 2 with the addition of blinkers, earned a 71 Beyer for his allowance win.

In the race following Rotknee’s victory, Pineapple Man won a one-mile maiden race by 3 1/4 lengths, earning a 74 Beyer Speed Figure. Pineapple Man had finished a well-beaten eighth and third in each of his first two starts, at sprint distances.

“I think going farther the horse kept his mind on business,” Maker said.

Maker said Pineapple Man will likely just point to a first-level statebred allowance race.