Maker claim Special Reserve takes down Grade 3 Maryland Sprint
BALTIMORE - After a pace-pressing journey under Irad Ortiz Jr., Special Reserve earned his first stakes victory with a 1 3/4-length score Saturday at Pimlico in the Grade 3, $150,000 Maryland Sprint at six furlongs on the Preakness undercard.
The Maryland Sprint is part of the MATCH (Mid-Atlantic Championships) series, which comprises 24 stakes in Maryland and Virginia in 2021.
Trained by Michael Maker, who captured yesterday's Grade 3 Pimlico Special with Last Judgment and the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan with Army Wife, Special Reserve was used early to gain a prime early position outside of favored pacesetter Strike Power.
The 5-year-old gelded son of Midshipman surged past Strike Power in upper stretch and gave a steady kick to finish in 1:08.91 over a fast track. He paid $9.80 to win as the second betting choice. He was awarded a Beyer Speed Figure of 100.
Strike Power, trained by Steve Asmussen, held well for second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Frosted Grace, who rallied along the rail.
"I had a good trip, just second best," said Strike Power's jockey, Ricardo Santana Jr.
Frosted Grace finished a half-length in front of Mucho, who was followed home by Laki, War Tocsin, Threes Over Deuces, Lebda, Seven Nation Army, and Yodel E. A. Who. Breezy Gust pulled up soon after the start and walked off under his own power.
When Maker claims horses, pay attention.
Special Reserve was claimed by Paradise Farms and David Staudacher for $40,000 out of his seasonal debut at Oaklawn on Feb. 6. The Kentucky-bred joins Last Judgment, Stunning Sky, Aquaphobia, Bemma's Boy, Marzo, Bigger Picture, Hembree, Hogy, Oscar Nominated, Taghleeb, Al's Gal, Da Big Hoss, and Greengrassofyoming as horses that Maker has claimed and turned into graded stakes winners the past five years.
"The purses and conditions at Oaklawn were good,” Maker told Daily Racing Form earlier this week. “If you spend that amount of money and come back and win the same condition – which he did – you come out ahead.”
Special Reserve won the day he was claimed, then returned following a short break to win a two-other-than allowance at Oaklawn. He finished second after setting the pace in the Grade 3 Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland.
"He had a bit of a bleeding issue that we addressed and got taken care of and the rest is history," Maker told track publicity after the Maryland Sprint.
"He just took me there," Ortiz said in the winner's circle. "I tried to relax him and he relaxed so well. When I asked him, he was there."
When questioned if it was beneficial to be close to the pace on the seemingly speed-friendly Pimlico surface this afternoon, Ortiz responded, "I think so. It's better if you can. The speed on the rail is so good right now."