Gran Old Parr's versatility makes him dangerous in turf sprint

Mike Maker continued his success at Kentucky Downs, where he won a record fifth training title at the recently concluded meet. He also is having a big meet at Gulfstream Park, where he sits second in the standings.

Going into Friday, Maker had 43 wins, 13 behind Saffie Joseph Jr. Maker has an excellent chance of adding to his total Sunday with Gran Old Parr, who is entered in a $50,000 starter race that carries a $50,000 claiming option at Gulfstream. The five-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds drew eight horses for turf. Wandering West will run if the race is moved to the main track.

Making his first start after being claimed by Maker for $16,000 on behalf of Paradise Farms Corp. on June 28, Gran Old Parr finished fourth going five furlongs on turf in a first-level allowance race that carried a $75,000 claiming option on Aug. 21. With leading rider Edgard Zayas aboard, the Florida-bred son of Kantharos got off to a poor start before rallying late to lose by just 1 3/4 lengths. With a better beginning, there is a good chance he would have won the race. In his previous race, he led from start to finish in a five-furlong dash restricted to nonwinners of two. He also was in the mix early when he won a $12,500 maiden claimer on May 31.

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Gran Old Parr is versatile, and with other speed in the field, Zayas will have options depending on how Gran Old Parr breaks from post 2. If he leaves the starting gate running, he is the speed of the speed and is probably gone.

Sassy But Smart will appreciate class relief Sunday and could make a big impact in his second start following a layoff.

Trained by Kendall Condie, Sassy But Smart finished a close fourth in the Grade 3 Palm Beach, which was contested over 1 1/16 miles on turf on Feb. 29, before going on the shelf. In his comeback race on Sept. 5 he finished sixth going 7 1/2 furlongs on grass in the $75,000 Bears Den on Sept. 5.

By Overdriven out of Home Run Sassy, Sassy But Smart is probably better going a middle distance. However, he rallied to finish second going five furlongs on turf when he debuted in a $32,000 maiden claimer on Jan. 2. If a duel between Gran Old Parr and Weekend Dreamer develops, he could pick up the pieces with Luca Panici riding. He will break from post 5.

Ikeisgreat, trained by Kelsey Danner, would have to be taken very seriously if the race gets moved to the main track. After all, he romped by eight lengths and received an 84 Beyer Speed Figure for his lone win, which came running over a track rated good in a race originally scheduled for turf on Feb. 22 at Gulfstream.

In his most recent start, the Kentucky-bred son of Munnings finished second as the favorite in an allowance race for nonwinners of two on the main track on Aug. 13 at Indiana Downs.

His fourth-place finish in an open allowance race for 3-year-olds at Keeneland won by Maven on July 8 shows he also can handle turf. Maven won a Group 3 race in France for trainer Wesley Ward as a 2-year-old last year.

Ikeisgreat also was the runner-up in a first-level allowance race going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf on June 6 at Churchill Downs.