Henley's Joy plans to advance to Saratoga Derby

ELMONT, N.Y. – Henley’s Joy appears to be a horse who thrives on racing and he most likely will make his seventh start of the year in the $1 million Saratoga Derby on Aug. 4, trainer Mike Maker said Sunday morning.

Henley’s Joy ended a five-race losing streak with a three-quarter-length victory over Social Paranoia in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Derby. Maker, who was in Kentucky over the weekend, said all reports are the horse came out of the race in good order.

“He came out well, he’s a horse that always carries good weight considering the amount of races he’s had and the places he shipped,” Maker said. “Always has a great haircoat horse. A little joke that Jeff and I have is the horse never had a bad hair day.”

Maker was referring to Jeff Bloom, whose Bloom Racing owns Henley’s Joy

Maker felt the key to victory was a good break under Jose Lezcano, something Henley’s Joy had issues with in a few of his earlier losses this year.

“We got away from the gate clean and got a great position early, after that I was pretty pleased,” Maker said Sunday. “We always thought distance was favorable and should move us up.”

Henley’s Joy was scheduled to ship to Saratoga on Tuesday and be part of a 30-horse contingent the trainer will have in Saratoga this summer.

Henley’s Joy earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory.