Bigger Picture likely for Kentucky Downs Turf Cup Preview at Ellis Park

Grade 1 winner Bigger Picture is among the bigger names expected in action Sunday on a very busy Kentucky Downs Preview Day at Ellis Park in western Kentucky.

Trainer Mike Maker scratched Bigger Picture last Saturday from the Bowling Green at Saratoga to run the 8-year-old gelding in the 1 1/4-mile Turf Cup Preview, which is one of five $100,000 preps Sunday at Ellis for the five-day Kentucky Downs meet, which runs Aug. 31 to Sept. 12.

Sunday entries were to be drawn Thursday. The five previews all include the names of their intended races at Kentucky Downs – the Turf Cup, Tourist Mile, Turf Sprint, Ladies Turf, and Ladies Sprint. This is the second year for such a cooperative arrangement between the tracks.

Bigger Picture, winner of the Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth Park in 2017, was claimed by Three Diamonds Farm in November 2015 and now has career earnings of more than $1.6 million.

:: Get PPs, Clocker Reports, picks, and more from DRF's Saratoga/Del Mar One-Stop Shop

Preview Day comes one week before the Aug. 11 Groupie Doll, the richest race of the Ellis summer meet. The $125,000 Groupie Doll has been downgraded this year from a Grade 3 to a listed stakes.

Big Beyer for maiden romp

A 19-length romp by Dennis’ Moment in a seven-furlong maiden race Saturday at Ellis came back with a 97 Beyer Speed Figure, one of the highest in years at the track by any horse, let alone a 2-year-old.

“We knew he had real talent,” said Dale Romans, who trains the Tiznow colt for the Albaugh Family Stable. “We’ll pick our spots carefully with him, knowing we might have something special.”

Romans said Dennis’ Moment could make his next start in the Sept. 2 Hopeful at Saratoga or the Sept. 14 Iroquois at Churchill Downs.

The Beyer was the highest at Ellis since Good Lord got a 99 in winning the 2014 Don Bernhardt. The highest Beyer in the last 20 years at Ellis was a 109, earned by Minister’s Baby in the 2002 Gardenia at 1 1/8 miles.

Makeup options

Ellis racing secretary Dan Bork said a decision is forthcoming as to whether the track will host a second Monday makeup card in August. The July 19 and 20 cards were canceled because of excessive heat.

An eight-race card this past Monday (July 29) attracted an all-sources handle of about $1.1 million, said Bork. If a second Monday card is not scheduled, the track will make up the date “by adding an extra race or two” on selected cards through the end of the meet, Sept. 2, he added.

◗ Street Band was sent through her first work since winning the July 13 Indiana Oaks when breezing a half-mile in 47 seconds Wednesday at Churchill with jockey Sophie Doyle aboard. Trainer Larry Jones has said the 3-year-old filly will run next in either the Aug. 17 Alabama at Saratoga or the Sept. 21 Cotillion at Parx.