Maker takes shot in trio of Claiming Crown preps

FRANKLIN, Ky. – Besides the two Dueling Grounds stakes for 3-year-olds, the Sunday card at turf-only Kentucky Downs also will feature a trio of designated preps toward the 2019 Claiming Crown at Gulfstream Park.

All three of the $100,000 races are restricted to horses that have raced for a claiming tag of $25,000 or less since Jan. 1, 2018. Unlike with most other Kentucky Downs races, there are no purse restrictions in regard to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.

Mike Maker, the leading trainer in the history of both Kentucky Downs and the Claiming Crown, is well represented in all three starter events. In fact, Maker has at least one entry in all 10 Sunday races.

Claiming Crown Canterbury prep: Tiger Blood comes armed with a 103 Beyer Speed Figure at Gulfstream from his last start and is the 9-5 morning-line favorite in a full field going 6 1/2 furlongs. Probably his chief threat is Fast Boat, whose jockey-trainer team of Adam Beschizza and Joe Sharp accounted for two winners here Thursday.

Claiming Crown Tiara prep: Maker has the program choice in Arabella Bella, but she’ll scratch after racing here Thursday. That leaves no more than 10 fillies and mares going a mile and 70 yards, with Cubs Win, Zuzanna, Aife, and Pugilist being the most logical contenders in a well-matched lineup.

Claiming Crown Emerald prep: A couple of recent arrivals from the Saratoga meet, Patriot Drive and Dontblamerocket, are among the principals in a full gate of 12 in this mile and 70-yard race. This wide-open race typifies the Claiming Crown spirit and should make for a terrific lead-in to the late pick four (races 7-10), which includes the Dueling Grounds stakes.

A fourth prep intended for the Claiming Crown Distaff Dash failed to fill and will not be brought back for the closing-day card Thursday.

The 21st Claiming Crown is set for Nov. 30 at Gulfstream in South Florida.

Added worries for Demeritte

Trainer Larry Demeritte has been keeping close tabs on his extended family in his native Bahamas, where Hurricane Dorian destroyed much of the island country last week.

“I have two nieces who lost everything,” said Demeritte, “but the rest of my family was not hit very hard. My wife [Inga] also has family that’s been affected by the storm, but everyone is safe, thank God. Many people have asked about my family, and I am thinking of starting a GoFundMe account through my church.”

The worries back home come atop the health problems that Demeritte, 68, has been experiencing in recent years. Beset with multiple myeloma and amyloidosis, Demeritte has endured a bone marrow transplant and regular chemotherapy treatments while still managing to oversee his 10-horse stable at the Thoroughbred Training Center in Lexington, Ky. His current star is Lady Glamour, who likely will make her next start in an allowance next month at Keeneland.

With his upbeat attitude and perseverance, Demeritte has earned the admiration and respect of many in the Thoroughbred business since he first came to the United States in 1976.

“Things have been tough in many ways,” he said, “but God has been good to me. Very good.”

McIngvale with a winner

For all the resources Jim McIngvale has poured into his industry-wide promotion of the young stallion Runhappy, what occurred in the seventh race Thursday at Kentucky Downs might be called poetic justice.

McIngvale is the owner of Takeitback, a 2-year-old Pioneerof the Nile filly who lit up the toteboard in her career debut. The $88 win mutuel was the highest for the first 20 races at what is being called the Runhappy meet.

Laura Wohlers, McIngvale’s sister-in-law, is the trainer of Takeitback, who finished 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:21.48. The gray filly was a $190,000 purchase in April at Keeneland.

Churchill meet starts Friday

The 11-day September meet at Churchill Downs starts Friday, and it won’t take long at all for some big stuff to start happening.

Four stakes are set for Saturday, led by the Grade 3 Iroquois and Grade 2 Pocahontas. Both 1 1/16-mile races for 2-year-olds are Win and You’re In events toward the Breeders’ Cup, and both are the first points races toward the 2020 Kentucky Derby and Oaks, respectively. The other Saturday stakes are the Grade 3 Locust Grove and the Open Mind.

Dennis’ Moment, a 19-length winner of an Ellis Park maiden race for Dale Romans, is expected to be favored in the Iroquois.

Mr. Money in swift drill

Mr. Money continued his preparations for the Sept. 21 Pennsylvania Derby, breezing five furlongs in a bullet 58.20 seconds on Thursday at Churchill.

Mr. Money has won his last four races, all Grade 3 stakes, and will be one of the favorites in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing. It was the third straight bullet work for the Goldencents colt since his six-length romp in the Aug. 3 West Virginia Derby.