Benson plans to ‘learn from the best'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Liam Benson, who made a splash as a trainer two summers ago by winning a stakes race at age 20, has given up his small stable to work as an assistant for trainer Mike Maker.

Benson said his horses are being sent to New Jersey to trainer Derek Ryan, for whom Benson once worked. “I hope to be given the opportunity to train again in the future, but I am planning on taking the next several years to learn from the best,” Benson said via Twitter.

Expected Ruler, now 4, won the Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park in his career debut in August 2015, when Benson was still a student in the University of Louisville Equine Industry Program, from which he graduated in December.

Ntestinalfortitude impresses again

Ntestinalfortitude earned a 96 Beyer Speed Figure for his second straight blowout victory when going through his first allowance condition here at Churchill Downs on Thursday evening.

It was the third start in less than a month since Ntestinalfortitude got a late start to his career. The gray 4-year-old colt made his debut in the final race on Derby Day, finishing a just-miss second. He then won a May 26 maiden race, earning a 90 Beyer, before stretching out to 1 1/16 miles on Thursday with an 8 3/4-length romp.

“I’m not sure what we’ll do next, but a horse like him gives you plenty of options,” said Dale Romans, who trains the colt for owner and breeder Power Ten Farm LLC. “Maybe we’ll take a look at the stakes schedule at Saratoga.”

– additional reporting by Jay Privman