Marathon-length feature right in Maker's wheelhouse

It’s been estimated that about half of the world’s population of marathoners reside in the barn of trainer Mike Maker.

Well, not quite that many.

Maker loves a long-distance runner, and on Sunday he has two leading prospects in the $55,000 Home of the Brave, a starter handicap over 1 1/2 miles on turf at Gulfstream Park. The barn is represented by On a Spree and Krewe Chief.

:: Click to learn about our DRF's Free Past Performance program.

The horses are part of a field of eight that includes main-track-only entrant Il Faraone. The 124-pound highweight is two-time stakes winner Renaisance Frolic. The Home of the Brave is for 3-year-olds and up who have started for a claiming price in 2019-2020.

Maker’s top marathon runners in recent times include Zulu Alpha, Bigger Picture, Bemma’s Boy, and Marzo. His representatives in the Home of the Brave are both moving back to longer distances after running at traditional route distances in June.

On a Spree comes off a runner-up finish in a first-level allowance June 20 at Gulfstream Park that carried an optional-claiming price of $25,000. He was prominent throughout the 1 1/16-mile turf race. One start prior, On a Spree won at 1 3/8 miles in a $25,000 starter allowance on the grass on May 9 at Tampa Bay Downs.

Samy Camacho has the mount from the rail Sunday.

Krewe Chief last raced at a mile on turf, finishing seventh in a second-level allowance that carried an optional claiming price of $62,500. The start came June 12 at Churchill Downs, and it was his first race since March 1.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Krewe Chief picks up more ground Sunday for his second start back from a layoff. His most recent win came at 1 1/8 miles, when he closed from last in a $50,000 starter allowance in December at Aqueduct. Krewe Chief has had some close calls in marathon allowance races, including a runner-up finish at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Keeneland.

Victor Lebron has the mount from post 3.

Max K.O. earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 91 for his win over On a Spree in the June 20 race at Gulfstream Park. It’s the best last-race number in the field. Max K.O. led throughout on good turf and again looks like the one to be caught. The question will be distance, as this marks his first race beyond 1 1/16 miles. Cristian Torres has the mount for trainer Eddie Plesa Jr.

Renaisance Frolic comes off a third-place finish in a no-conditions allowance that carried an optional claiming price of $100,000. It was run at a mile on turf June 26 at Gulfstream Park. He’s making his first start beyond 1 1/8 miles Sunday.

◗ Gulfstream announced on its overnight that it is now requiring trainers to have employees tested for coronavirus if the employees are accompanying horses to tracks outside of Florida. The test must be done within 48 hours upon returning home, and no employees will be allowed on Gulfstream properties, including Palm Meadows, until they present proof of a negative test for coronavirus. The names of employees traveling out of state must be given to security.