Bird Maker searching for win after failed turf experiment

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Brian Hernandez Jr. sticks as close to trainer Ian Wilkes as is reasonable, and why wouldn’t he? Wilkes gave Hernandez the ride of his life when they teamed to win the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Classic with Fort Larned.

It’s not uncommon to see Hernandez doing morning work for Wilkes, such as in recent weeks, when the 29-year-old jockey has been breezing a filly named Bird Maker at Churchill Downs. Wilkes values the feedback that Hernandez gives him, and he probably liked what Hernandez had to say about a five-furlong work for Bird Maker here Saturday morning.

“Her last work was one of her best ones,” said Hernandez.

Bred and owned by Marylou Whitney, Bird Maker will be gunning for her first victory in more than a year when facing eight other fillies and mares in the only allowance on a Twilight Thursday program that starts at 5 p.m. Eastern. The seven-furlong race carries a $54,000 purse, a second-level allowance restriction, a $62,500 claiming option, and an 8:09 post time as the seventh of eight races.

An 11 1/4-length winner of a first-level optional claimer here last spring, Bird Maker exits a May 9 turf route for which she proved to be poorly suited. Now back in her element in a main-track sprint, she definitely is one of the top contenders in a race lacking a standout favorite.

KEY CONTENDERS

Bird Maker (Last 3 Beyers: 72-74-66)

◗ After her blowout win here in May 2014, she was overmatched in the Grade 1 Test and Grade 3 Dogwood before going on a hiatus that was followed by back-to-back fourth-place finishes in optional claimers similar to this; she’s probably just now ready to round back to form.

Engaginglee (Last 3 Beyers: 75-68-68)

◗ She was along to finish second behind the unbeaten Willow Hills in a May 21 Churchill optional claimer before being disqualified when jockey Corey Lanerie inadvertently struck an opposing horse with his whip; seems to need a swift pace to facilitate her late kick.

Enchanting Lisa (Last 3 Beyers: 70-70-86)

◗ This younger half-sister to the great Wise Dan has shown glimpses of ability but has been somewhat disappointing this year when finishing fifth in both starts; she makes the third start in her form cycle while leaving stakes company.

Avicii (Last 3 Beyers: 67-74-74)

◗ Claimed last summer for $75,000, this 4-year-old City Zip filly is the only one in the field entered for an optional $62,500 claiming tag after having faded to sixth in the Willow Hills optional claimer; she figures as a forward factor from the outside post.