International Star makes comeback in Derby
International Star was forced to miss the big dance this spring, but he’s back on the floor Wednesday for the $200,000 Zia Park Derby. International Star swept the 3-year-old stakes series at Fair Grounds and is making his first start since he became a millionaire in the Louisiana Derby in March.
“He reeled off three victories, and we’re anxious to get him back and continue his win streak,” said Mike Maker, who trains International Star for Ken and Sarah Ramsey.
International Star is part of a nine-horse field that includes Mobile Bay, the winner of the Grade 2 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs; Witt Six, the runner-up in the Grade 3 Canadian Derby; Where’s the Moon, the runner-up in the Grade 3 Sunland Derby; and Bold Conquest, a recent allowance winner at Keeneland.
The 1 1/16-mile Derby is part of the third annual Land of Enchantment program. There are eight stakes on the card worth a total of $1.28 million. The richest offering is the $300,000 Zia Park Oaks.
International Star accounted for the Grade 3 Lecomte, Grade 2 Risen Star, and Grade 2 Louisiana Derby in his last three starts and was set for the Kentucky Derby before being forced to miss the race. Maker said International Star had a small bone chip removed from an ankle. For his return, the horse has been firing bullets in Kentucky.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 International Star. Trainer Mike Maker is 17-2-2-3 with a $0.57 ROI over the past five years in dirt routes following a layoff of 180 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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“He’s been training dynamite,” said Maker. “He’s really matured, so we’re real pleased with him.”
Maker has given the mount to Martin Garcia.
“It looks like there’s plenty of speed in there,” said Maker. “I expect to be laying midpack.”
Pain and Misery, Witt Six, Fear the Cowboy, and Dewey figure to make for an honest pace in the Derby.
Hollendorfer attacks stakes
Just one win from 7,000 victories in North America as of Monday, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is attacking Wednesday’s stakes program at Zia. In addition to sending out Never Ends in the featured Oaks, he has Point Piper in the $150,000 Zia Park Championship Handicap and Oligarch in the $100,000 Zia Park Sprint.
Point Piper should go favored in the Championship Handicap, which is for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles. He owns the field’s best recent Beyer Speed Figures, topped by the 102 he put up last out in taking the $75,000 Big Bear on Oct. 24 at Santa Anita. Prior to that start, Point Piper faced Grade 1 rivals in the Awesome Again Stakes, finishing fifth behind Smooth Roller.
Martin Garcia has the mount from the rail on Point Piper, who is from the Group 1-winning mare Imagine.
Smack Smack won the local prep, the Veterans Stakes, on Nov. 2 and will be moving back to the distance of his biggest win, the $175,000 Governor’s Cup in August at Remington Park. Shane Laviolette has the mount for 81-year-old trainer Don Von Hemel.
Ol Winedrinker Who was a major winner at 1 1/8 miles in June in the Downs at Albuquerque Handicap.
Oligarch will meet Wine Police and Dirt Monster in the Sprint.
Fox Hill, Jones back again
Fox Hill Farm and trainer Larry Jones, who teamed up to win last year’s Oaks with Cassatt, are back for the Land of Enchantment program. This time, they are chasing after the $100,000 Zia Park Distaff. They have the promising Thirteen Arrows on deck for the six-furlong race off a recent optional $80,000 claiming score at Keeneland.
Thirteen Arrows has won 4 of 8 overall and is returning to the distance of her best Beyer for the Distaff. She earned a 95 Beyer for an optional $40,000 claiming win in July at Monmouth Park.
Florent Geroux has the mount from post 4.
** Stormin the Jewels, who won his maiden in the $205,000 Camino Real Futurity, makes his two-turn debut in the $140,000 Eddy County. The one-mile race is for 2-year-olds bred in New Mexico.
Stormin the Jewels has raced once since his 1 1/4-length win in the Camino Real, finishing a fast-closing second in the $152,000 New Mexico Cup Juvenile Championship. Trainer Fred Danley trains for J & SM Inc. and has given the mount to Alfredo Juarez Jr.
** The pair of stakes for Quarter Horses drew a couple of runners of significant interest in world champion Jrc Callas First and the streaking Astica. The races go early on the card Wednesday.
Jrc Callas First takes on the capable rivals Mad About the Moon and Dashin for a Prize in the Grade 1, $150,000 Quarter Horse Championship. Astica will attempt to win her seventh straight race when she starts in the $140,000 Fillies and Mares.