Maker has three for Elkhorn Stakes
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer Mike Maker has three of the 10 older horses – Soglio, Bigger Picture, and Zulu Alpha – in the Saturday feature, the Grade 2, $250,000 Elkhorn. Maker has two wins in the Elkhorn, with Dark Cove (2013) and Da Big Hoss (2016).
From the hedge, this is the field for the 1 1/2-mile turf race: Vettori Kin, Hunter O’Riley, Leitone, Soglio, Canessar, Tiz a Slam, Bigger Picture, Red Knight, Final Copy, Zulu Alpha.
After Saturday, the filly-and-mare counterpart to the Elkhorn, the Grade 3 Bewitch on closing day (April 26), will be the lone remaining stakes of the meet.
◗ Serengeti Empress breezed a half-mile Tuesday at Churchill in 47 seconds and showed no signs of internal bleeding after being scoped afterward, according to trainer Tom Amoss. Serengeti Empress, a three-time stakes winner, bled from the nostrils when she was eased as the 3-10 favorite in her latest race, the March 23 Fair Grounds Oaks, and will have a more serious workout next week to determine her status for the May 3 Kentucky Oaks.
◗ Churchill officials announced this week that Champions Day once again will be held the Tuesday of Derby week, April 30, with a focus on the Triple Crown in celebration of this being the 100-year anniversary of Sir Barton becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 1919. Among the horsemen who will be available for autographs and photos are Steve Cauthen, Jean Cruguet, Victor Espinoza, Mike Smith, and Bob Baffert. Memorabilia from prior Triple Crown winners also will be on display.
◗ Red Ruby, unraced since winning the Delaware Oaks by 13 lengths in early July, has returned to training with Kellyn Gorder at Keeneland following a rehabilitation stint at WinStar Farm. The gray 4-year-old filly is a three-time stakes winner from six starts, all for owners Sandra Sexton and Brandi Nicholson.
◗ There is no racing Sunday at Keeneland because of the Easter holiday. The final three-day stretch of the 16-day spring meet begins Wednesday. Churchill starts its spring meet April 27 with an evening card.
