Da Big Hoss gets a vacation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Da Big Hoss is finished racing this year after a highly eventful campaign that ended with a disappointing run in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Trainer Mike Maker said Da Big Hoss has been turned out at Woodford Farm in Versailles, Ky., but will return to his stable this winter at Gulfstream Park.

“He’s gone real hard ever since we’ve had him,” said Maker. “He’s getting a break he deserves. Hopefully he’ll be just as good next year when we bring him back.”

Owned by the Skychai Racing partnership led by Harvey Diamond and Jim Shircliff, Da Big Hoss has earned more than $1.4 million since being claimed for $50,000 at Churchill Downs in June 2015. The 5-year-old Da Big Hoss was never a factor when he finished 11th at 19-1 in the Nov. 5 BC Turf at Santa Anita.

Maker, the leading trainer at the Churchill fall meet, said Try Your Luck, an easy winner of the Dueling Grounds Oaks in her latest start, will bypass the upcoming Mrs. Revere at Churchill and could run next in the Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita on Dec. 31.

Oscar Nominated, fourth as the favorite in the Twilight Derby at Santa Anita on Breeders’ Cup weekend, either will return to California for the Hollywood Derby or go to Florida for the Tropical Park Derby.

Maker said Watchyourownbobber is sidelined but will rejoin the stable in Florida within a few weeks. Watchyourownbobber earned a career-high 103 Beyer Speed Figure in winning the More Than Ready at Kentucky Downs in September.

Maker, 47, is enjoying yet another strong year. His stable earnings recently passed $10 million for 2016, marking the first year he has reached that milestone since he left his position as a D. Wayne Lukas assistant in 2003 to train on his own. Among his major wins this year was the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor with Al’s Gal, who sold Nov. 7 at Fasig Tipton for $800,000.