Ennis will try Epic Ride on turf

The consistent Epic Ride turned in one of his strongest career performances when second in the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint to Booth, who continued a win streak that has him among the division’s leaders. Despite his strong effort on the Pimlico dirt, trainer John Ennis is likely going to pursue his long-stated wish to put Epic Ride on turf this summer.

“I’ve always wanted to try the turf with him, so hopefully that might be the next play with him,” the Kentucky-based Ennis said. “He was so good on synthetic, and he’s never tried the turf, so if he just improves a little bit, he could be a nice horse on the grass.”

Epic Ride was nominated to both the Maryland Sprint and the Jim McKay Turf Sprint last Saturday, but Ennis and owner Welch Racing “thought we’d give him one more try on the dirt.” Epic Ride tracked Booth throughout the Maryland Sprint and kept trying to the wire, falling a length short.

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He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 97, one of his best career numbers. His top figure, a 102, came in an allowance win in January on Turfway Park’s Tapeta. In 2024, he won the Leonatus Stakes at Turfway.

Epic Ride also earned a 97 when he was third in the Grade 3 Perryville Stakes last fall at Keeneland, a dirt track over which he finished third in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes in 2024. Overall, Epic Ride sports a career mark of 13-4-4-2 and earnings of $448,451.

“He just shows up every time,” Ennis said.

Now it’s time to show up on the turf.

“He’s out of a Gio Ponti mare, and has plenty of turf on the bottom side,” Ennis noted.

Indeed, Epic Ride is by Blame, a versatile sire whose turf horses include French Oaks winner Senga. The colt is out of a mare by turf champion Gio Ponti, and is from the family of Grade 1 winner Honey Ryder, among others.

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