Maker empties barn for Kentucky Turf Cup

FRANKLIN, Ky. – Mike Maker has the numbers. The winningest trainer in Kentucky Downs history has four horses in the track’s showcase event, the Kentucky Turf Cup, and the odds clearly favor him winning the 1 1/2-mile race for the third straight year.

Enterprising, Oscar Nominated, and Taghleeb are among the Maker favorites in an overflow field entered in the Grade 3, $600,000 Kentucky Turf Cup, which caps a rich Saturday card as the last of 10 races. And just in case, Maker has entered St. Louie as a live longshot in a race he won the last two years with Da Big Hoss.

“They’re all in there with pretty good chances, assuming they show up,” said Maker, who recorded his 35th Kentucky Downs victory when Run Time captured the last race Wednesday, opening day of the five-day meet.

The Turf Cup is the last of four straight stakes to end a sensational card that starts at 1:25 p.m. Central. Those stakes are linked in a pick-four wager (races 7-10) and a pick five that starts with race 6, a $140,000 allowance. The other stakes are the $350,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (race 7), featuring Miss Temple City, followed by twin turf sprints – the $350,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint and the $400,000 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint. Post time for the Turf Cup is 5:42.

:: Get bonus PPs for Saturday’s $25,000-guaranteed late pick four at Hastings

Enterprising, owned by Maxis Stable, was beaten less than a length when fourth in the Arlington Million four weeks ago. Corey Lanerie has the call on a 6-year-old gelding who, as a Florida-bred, is competing for the equivalent of only half the Turf Cup purse, which includes $300,000 in bonuses for registered Kentucky-breds.

“The bigger the race, the bigger he seems to run,” said Maker. “By the time he got through in the Million, it was too late, but he did make a real nice run.”

Oscar Nominated, with Julien Leparoux to ride, has lost eight consecutive races since romping here last fall in the Dueling Grounds Derby. The 4-year-old ridgling carries the colors of the leading owners in track history, Ken and Sarah Ramsey.

“He’s been a bridesmaid all year, but we feel like he’s capable of stepping up,” said Maker.

Taghleeb, the winner of back-to-back turf stakes during the Gulfstream Park championship meet, will have Jose Ortiz back aboard, while St. Louie, third in the John’s Call at Saratoga last out, will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione.

“I thought St. Louie ran a big race last time,” said Maker.

Among the notable challengers to the Maker foursome are Postulation, who defeated Taghleeb in winning the American St. Leger on the Aug. 12 Million card; Muqtaser, shipping in off back-to-back Saratoga wins for jockey Joe Bravo and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin; and Bullards Alley, the runner-up behind Da Big Hoss in the Turf Cup last year.

“He’s proven over this surface,” trainer Tim Glyshaw said of Bullards Alley. “This is a quality field overall, but there’s not a standout like last year with Da Big Hoss.”

:: Get firsthand workout observations for fall racing at Belmont Park

Postulation is based in the Delaware Valley with trainer Eddie Graham, who won the 2014 Million with Hardest Core after the horse won the Cape Henlopen at Delaware Park. Like Hardest Core, Postulation won the Cape Henlopen before scoring at Arlington.

This will be the 25th Kentucky Turf Cup, which was first run in 1991 as the Sam Houston Handicap, when Silver Medallion prevailed for trainer Phil Hauswald. (The race was not run when the track was shuttered in 1996-97.) The Turf Cup is part of the new Jockey7 wager, which runs daily from races 4 to 10 (and is listed on the wagering menu as race 11).

With sunny skies and a high of 76 degrees in the forecast, the largest crowd of the meet can be expected here Saturday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Enterprising, by Elusive Quality
Last 3 Beyers: 100-85-92

◗ He’s got a little more versatility than your garden-variety grinder, as he was near the pace in shorter races earlier in the year.

Oscar Nominated, by Kitten’s Joy
Last 3 Beyers: 97-97-98

◗ He was scratched from the $150,000 Old Friends here Thursday after Maker decided this was worth a shot because of the bigger purse.

Taghleeb, by Hard Spun
Last 3 Beyers: 93-94-89

◗ He and Ortiz just lagged too far back in the American St. Leger while Postulation got first run, but he stayed on resolutely nonetheless.

Postulation, by Harlan’s Holiday
Last 3 Beyers: 97-98-91

◗ Jockey Jose Vargas Jr. will be back aboard for Graham as this 5-year-old gelding looks to maintain peak form.

Muqtaser, by Distorted Humor
Last 3 Beyers: 97-96-88

◗ Both Saratoga wins came at 1 3/8 miles for McLaughlin, the Kentucky native who won this race in 1999 with Fahris.