Maker can pad lead in pair of allowance turf miles

Mike Maker set a record at Keeneland that should stand for many years when he sent out a mind-boggling 25 winners at the 2013 spring meet. As the 2017 fall meet nears its end, Maker once again found himself atop the Keeneland trainer standings as the final four-day stretch of the 17-day meet began Wednesday.

Maker, with 11 wins from a meet-high 48 starters through last weekend, will have a chance to pad his numbers when a 10-race card is run Friday at the Lexington, Ky., track. A pair of one-mile turf allowances serve as co-features on a program that begins at the usual 1:05 p.m. Eastern, and Maker is represented in both.

One Last Strike, a maiden winner last out at Churchill Downs, is a contender for the 48-year-old trainer in a field of 3-year-olds and up in race 7, which is governed by a one-other-than condition. Bred and owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, the 3-year-old Smart Strike colt has made steady progress while competing exclusively on turf and should be a factor again Friday with his typical effort.

“We’ve always had high expectations for him,” said Maker. “I think he will continue to improve as he ages, and I expect another big effort from him Friday.”

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Other considerations in a lineup of 11 include Douglas Road, second for this same condition last month at Kentucky Downs for Arnaud Delacour; Rate for Me, in off a series of New York turf sprints for George Weaver; and Get a Valentine, third in a three-horse photo for this same condition last month at Churchill for Rodolphe Brisset.

In race 9, a $69,000 second-level allowance for fillies and mares, Maker will send out the Ramsey duo of Gentle Kitten and Peru, who will be coupled for wagering purposes amid a field of 11 fillies and mares.

Although Gentle Kitten, perhaps the better half of the entry, won a turf allowance two starts back on the Arlington Million card, she and Peru might find the sledding fairly tough here, as they’re likely to be overshadowed in the wagering by the likes of Proud Reunion, Brooks House, and Burma Road.

Of those, Burma Road may garner the most tote action after finishing a close-up third at 6-5 at this level on closing weekend of the September meet at Churchill for Ian Wilkes.

Another Keeneland training title would be the fifth for Maker, who also topped the standings at the 2008 fall, 2013 spring and fall, and 2016 spring meets.

“It’s always special to win at Keeneland,” said Maker. “If we can win another one, that’d really be great, especially for my staff that works so hard.”

The forecast for Friday calls for sunny skies and a high of 70. Both allowances are part of the late pick four (races 7-10).

The Grade 2 Fayette will anchor a 10-race closing-day card Saturday, with the likely favorites being Neolithic, Honorable Duty, and McCraken. Live action on the Kentucky circuit moves Sunday to Churchill for a 21-day fall meet.