Lady Scarlet's win in Cicada strengthens Maker's solid meet

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Though his concentration during the winter is down south in venues like Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds as well as Kentucky’s Turfway Park, trainer Mike Maker has put together a solid winter season in New York.

When Lady Scarlet won Saturday’s $100,000 Cicada Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct, it was Maker’s second stakes win here in eight days and his meet-leading fourth stakes victory of the winter meet. On March 13, Rotknee won the Damon Runyon Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds. Earlier in the meet, Barese won both the Rego Park and the Gander for New York-bred 3-year-olds, and is on course for a start in the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial on April 9.

Overall, Maker is 7 for 40 at the meet with 10 seconds and four thirds.

“Like in years past, it’s been very successful for us, always liked New York, wish I had more of a presence there for the winter,” Maker said Sunday.

:: Want to start playing with a $510 bankroll and have access to free Formulator? Learn more

Lady Scarlet shipped in from Oaklawn, where she was coming off an allowance win at odds of 18-1. She got the similar type of three-wide stalking trip before pulling away from the field to win by 4 3/4 lengths. She earned an 82 Beyer Speed Figure.

“Very pleased, obviously,” Maker said. “Good setup. She’s matured. She settled a lot more than when we first got her.”

Maker claimed Lady Scarlet for $150,000 on behalf of Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher. Maker said he still has to talk to the owners to confirm, but he mentioned the Grade 3, $400,000 Beaumont at Keeneland on April 10 and/or the Grade 3, $150,000 Miss Preakness at Pimlico on May 20 as possible races on Lady Scarlet’s agenda.

Meanwhile, Maker said he is looking to run Rotknee in the $200,000 Animal Kingdom Stakes at Turfway Park on April 2. Rotknee has won three straight races since a runner-up finish on debut last summer.

“He carries good flesh and energy, I don’t think the short turnaround will affect him at all,” Maker said.

Barese continues training toward the Wood Memorial. On Saturday, he worked six furlongs in 1:16.42 over the Belmont training track.

“He continues to do well,” Maker said. “The Wood can’t come up soon enough.”

Maker said he has only one horse to run in this coming weekend’s New York Claiming Championships. Doubly Blessed, second to Green Light Go in the Stymie Stakes, will start in the $60,000 More To Tell going a mile. Last year, he finished fourth in the Stud Muffin going 1 3/8 miles.