Lobo's talented Brazilan milers could start season in Maker's Mark Mile

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Tucked away at the Thoroughbred Training Center off Paris Pike in rural northeastern Lexington are two of the better turf milers in North America.

Ivar and In Love both reside in the stables of Brazilian-born trainer Paulo Lobo, and they, too, were born in Brazil. Ivar is a 6-year-old horse by the Sunday Silence stallion Agnes Gold, In Love a 6-year-old gelding by Agnes Gold. Ivar won the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile here at Keeneland in 2020, In Love won the race, renamed the Keeneland Turf Mile, in 2021. Down the backstretch of the Breeders’ Cup Mile last November at Del Mar, Ivar on the outside and In Love along the rail raced side by side. And the pair could make their 2022 debut in the same Keeneland race, the Grade 1, $600,000 Maker’s Mark Mile on April 15.

In Love, who has posted six timed workouts this winter and spring at the training center, is a definite starter in the Maker’s Mark, Lobo said. Ivar has worked five times but, depending how he works this weekend, he also could start in the Maker’s Mark.

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“Ivar doesn’t need too much to run. Every time he gallops, he puts in a very strong gallop. I think he’s easy to get fit to run,” Lobo said.

Ivar raced only three times during 2021 after finishing a close fourth in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Mile. He was a creditable sixth in the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic on the Kentucky Derby undercard but didn’t start again until the Keeneland Turf Mile in October, a race he needed to shake off rust. Ivar squeaked into the BC Mile field and after leaving In Love at the half-mile pole went on finish a good third.

While Ivar had a clean outside run, In Love found a couple spots of trouble in the BC Mile. He wound up seventh but came to the wire moving forward, finishing only 1 3/4 lengths behind Ivar.

“He ran very good in the Breeders’ Cup,” Lobo said.

The Breeders’ Cup returns to Keeneland this fall. The two Lobo milers have Grade 1 fall wins over the local grass course. They might start their season in the same spot this spring and, if all goes as hoped, finish it together in November.