Maker finding California to his liking
DEL MAR, Calif. – Trainer Mike Maker wasted no time having an impact on the Del Mar summer meeting.
Maker has a stable based in California for the first time at Del Mar and won with two of five runners on July 17-18.
“I hope we can keep it up,” Maker said last week.
Maker has two starters Thursday – Blameless in an allowance race at a mile on turf in the fourth race and Cecile’s Chapter in a $40,000 claimer at a mile on turf in the sixth race.
Maker had two of his five starters claimed from him, and had claimed four horses through Sunday.
Later this month, Maker plans to start the well-regarded California-bred 2-year-old My Mane Champ in a maiden race. My Mane Champ was purchased for $45,000 at a 2-year-olds in training sale in March.
On Aug. 28, Maker will start Mo Mosa in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs. Mo Mosa, who won the Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile on May 31 at Lone Star Park, was fourth in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 17, finishing four lengths behind race winner Express Train.
The winner of the $200,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.