Maker mulling options for Bigger Picture

Bigger Picture has stakes options at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita after winning the Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup at Sam Houston Race Park for the third straight time Sunday. He shuttled home by 3 1/2 lengths and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 98.

“He ran super,” trainer Mike Maker said. “He never ceases to amaze me.”

Maker said Tuesday that Bigger Picture was traveling back home to his Palm Meadows training center base in South Florida. He said next-race plans are to be determined and that options include the Grade 2, $200,000 San Luis Rey on March 23 at Santa Anita and the Grade 2, $250,000 Pan American on March 30 at Gulfstream.

Both races are to be run at 1 1/2 miles on turf, the same conditions of the Connally.

Bigger Picture gave Maker a record seventh win in the Connally, which was first run in 1995. He has won the last six runnings. The secret to his record is a simple one.

“The right horse,” Maker said, when asked. “We’ve had a lot of nice marathon turf horses.”

Bigger Picture has been the right horse for the race the last three years, and his win Saturday tied a race record with Candid Glen, who won the Connally three straight years, from 2001-03.

Bigger Picture races for Three Diamonds Farm and is a Grade 1 winner of more than $1.4 million.

Maker’s other Connally winners are Papaw Bodie (2012), Admiral Kitten (2014), Coalport (2015), and Da Big Hoss (2016).