Hogy, 9, continues to make $80,000 claim look good

It’s not every day an 8-year-old gets claimed for $80,000. But then, Hogy is not your typical 8-year-old.

“He’s got the legs of a 3-year-old,” trainer Mike Maker said.

Maker trains Hogy for Michael Hui, who claimed Hogy last August at Saratoga. Hogy, now 9, picked up a second stakes win for Hui on Sunday at Sam Houston in the $75,000 Frontier Utilities Turf Sprint. Hogy closed from last to win by 2 1/4 lengths under Eclipse Award-winning jockey Jose Ortiz, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 97.

“He’s a remarkable horse at his age,” Maker said.

Maker said there were a couple of reasons behind the decision to claim Hogy.

“Obviously, his ability” he said, “and also what he’d done year in and year out with the best of his class.”

Hogy has been a regular in graded turf sprints, among his wins in such races the Grade 3 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint in September. Last year, he ran second in the Grade 2 Woodford, and in 2016 he was runner-up in the Grade 2 Shakertown.

Maker said a return trip to the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint is an objective this year for Hogy, whose immediate plans are to be determined.

“We’ll pick and choose his spots,” he said.

Hogy, who has now won 18 of 49 starts and $1.2 million, is a gelding by Offlee Wild.

Hogy returned Tuesday to Gulfstream Park along with Big Picture, who won the Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup on Sunday at Sam Houston. It was the second straight Connally win for Bigger Picture, and the sixth win in the race for Maker. Plans for Bigger Picture, who earned a Beyer of 96 in the 1 1/2-mile race, are to be determined, Maker said.

“We’ll look at every stakes we feel he fits and find the best spot,” Maker said.