Inveniam Viam can further reward Cox in Ellis Park Turf Stakes

Inveniam Viam will look to stay perfect for Brad Cox as part of a full and competitive field of fillies and mares in Saturday’s 13th Ellis Park Turf Stakes in Henderson, Ky.

Unbeaten in three starts since being claimed in January by Cox on behalf of the Allied Racing Stable of Chester Thomas, Inveniam Viam will break from post 9 in a 1 1/16-mile turf race that drew an oversubscribed field. Only 12 can start.

“She’s done everything we’ve asked of her so far, and she deserves a shot at something like this,” Cox said. “She’s doing great, and we’re really looking forward to running her back.”

Veteran jockey Manny Cruz, already with two stakes wins since moving his tack from Florida to Kentucky in April, gets the call on Inveniam Viam, a 5-year-old Louisiana-bred mare with a terrific late punch. Haltered for $20,000 on Jan. 20, she has since won three straight allowances, ending with a June 3 triumph at Churchill Downs.

:: Get bonus PPs for Los Alamitos Race Course with purchase of any same-day PPs, July 7 - July 16

The chief opposition in a well-balanced lineup includes Susie Bee (post 3, Alonso Quinonez), a winner of a restricted stakes over the Gulfstream Park turf last out; Burma Road (post 10, Chris Landeros), never worse than fourth in 12 career starts for Ian Wilkes; Factory of Faith (post 8, Gabriel Saez), a two-time turf winner exiting two Grade 1 races over dirt; and Corby (post 4, Jon Court), whose efforts at the recent Churchill meet suggest she’s in peak form.

The Ellis Turf is the first of six stakes at a 31-day meet that runs through Sept. 4. The western Kentucky track’s marquee race, the Grade 3 Groupie Doll, is set for Aug. 13.

The Ellis Turf goes as the eighth of nine Saturday races. First post is 12:50 p.m. Central, with the feature going at 4:50.

KEY CONTENDERS

Inveniam Viam, by Half Ours
Last 3 Beyers: 88-81-81

◗ A winner in 7 of 13 career starts over turf, this mare always has shown a penchant for winning but had never competed outside of Louisiana until her last start.

Susie Bee, by English Channel
Last 3 Beyers: 88-87-86

◗ Gray Calumet homebred must love to travel, as Ellis marks the sixth different track in her last seven starts; she’s been quite effective most everywhere, as her field-high bankroll of $280,863 attests.

Burma Road, by Street Boss
Last 3 Beyers: 87-91-86

◗ A close-up third as the 13-10 favorite in the June 3 allowance won by Iveniam Viam, this handy Lantern Hill homebred has been about as consistent as they come.