Maker leads Turfway trainer standings; Machado first among jockeys

Headed into the final two weeks of this Turfway Park meet, trainer Mike Maker and jockey Luan Machado lead their respective standings by wins.

Turfway officially splits its four months of racing into two meets – the holiday meet in December, and the ongoing winter-spring meet from Jan. 1 to March 29. Maker took the training title at the holiday meet, with seven wins to four each for Brad Cox, John Ennis, and Brendan Walsh.

Entering Wednesday, Maker holds the lead at this meet as he looks to sweep the season titles with 17 wins to 13 each for Kelsey Danner and John Ennis. Maker will saddle three stakes entrants on Saturday, including Calling Card in the Jeff Ruby. Danner brings Leonatus Stakes winner and John Battaglia runner-up Baby Max to the Ruby.

:: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now.

Meanwhile, Machado leads the rider standings with 44, to 36 for apprentice Irving Moncada. Those two riders finished tied for second at the December meet, as Gerardo Corrales rode 14 winners to 11 each for Machado, Moncada, and Fernando De La Cruz.

Moncada has a strong hand in Saturday’s sophomore stakes, riding Battaglia winner California Burrito in the Ruby and Cincinnati Trophy runner-up Admit in the Bourbonette Oaks. Machado will ride in five of the six stakes, including Final Gambit in the Ruby.

Following Saturday’s rich program, there is one more stakes remaining on this Turfway Park schedule – the $125,000 Serena’s Song Stakes at six furlongs for 3-year-old fillies on closing night, March 29.

The Serena’s Song is named for the only filly to win Turfway’s signature Derby prep, when it was known as the Jim Beam Stakes. This year marks the 30-year anniversary of her victory.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.