King: Bird Maker scores impressive win

Sunday, May 25, review

Bird Maker flies away in race 7

Bird Maker, second in the Grade 2 Golden Rod last year, returned to form with a class drop into a first-level allowance. Although expected to win, going off at even-money against just four rivals, she nevertheless turned in an eye-opening victory, scoring by 11 1/4 lengths under Julien Leparoux.

Last of five early, she took command shortly after coming into the stretch and drew away under just mild urging from Leparoux. She raced six furlongs in 1:10.16, with her final quarter-mile in approximately 24 seconds.

She has an affinity for the Churchill surface and could be most effective as a late-running sprinter.

Lanerie wins four

A day after Rosie Napravnik won five races at Churchill, vaulting to a clear lead in the jockeys’ standings, Corey Lanerie won four races to close the gap to 22-21.

If the race was an even number on the nine-race card, he won it. His winners came on Lincoln Law in race 2, Kiwi Notion in race 4, Law Dog in race 6, and Senior Prom in race 8.

Two horses vanned off, one euthanized

Two horses were vanned off with injuries after racing Sunday: Fleet Fire in the opener and Notability in the fifth race, with the latter having to be put down due to his injury. Both horses were maidens who raced on the main track. Both horses were pulled up by their jockeys.

An Equibase comment you don’t read every day

Kodiak Syd, a confidently handled one-length winner in race 1 under Marcelino Pedroza, drew a unique description from the Equibase chart callers. They wrote in the chart that Kodiak Syd “opened up in the stretch and won easily, showboated and admired himself through the stretch, and lasted to the wire.”

Though the chart doesn’t specify whether it was the horse or jockey who “admired himself,” one would have to think they were referencing Pedroza, who did do an imitation of retired jockey Pat Day, winning by a little when a lot would have put bettors more at ease.

Kodiak Syd could have run faster than his mile in 1:41.65 if he had been asked. He ran the last furlong in 14.35 seconds and probably would have covered it in 13 seconds and change if had he been asked.

Horse to watch

Princess Mariah
Trainer: Eddie Kenneally
Last race: May 25, 9th
Finish: 2nd by 1 3/4
The runner-up in the nightcap, she had to race wide – not the ideal trip on turf, when saving ground is of importance. She moved up four wide to take command and held the lead until the eighth pole, only to be run down late by Strike Charmer, who split horses entering the stretch. Princess Mariah raced 33 feet more than the winner, per Trakus.