Marzo, another astute claim by Maker, wins Sycamore Stakes

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Mike Maker has made quite a living by claiming turf horses and transforming them into stakes winners. The 50-year-old trainer further enhanced his reputation Thursday at Keeneland when Marzo, getting a textbook stalking trip under Ricardo Santana Jr., rolled to a 1 1/4-length victory in the Grade 3, $150,000 Sycamore.

Marzo, claimed for $62,500 on Aug. 31 at Kentucky Downs by Maker on behalf of the Three Diamonds Farm of Kirk Wycoff, returned $31 after finishing 1 1/2 miles in 2:32.72 over a turf course rated good. He follows in the hoofsteps of renowned Maker trainees such as Da Big Hoss, Hogy, Oscar Nomination, and a veritable assembly line of older horses that have won graded stakes – invariably longer turf races – after being claimed by Maker, typically for prices in the $50,000 to $80,000 range.

“We claimed him with the idea of stretching him out, with this particular race in mind,” said Maker. “He gave us the impression he’d be forwardly placed, so we left it up to Ricardo and he took care of it. Hats off to Mr. Wycoff for picking him up.”

On a bright but somewhat chilly afternoon, and with 11,390 in attendance, the 25th running of the three-turn Sycamore unfolded just as Santana and Maker hoped it would. Tracking 92-1 shot Changi and Midnight Tea Time when a loping third in a field of 11 older horses, Marzo bided his time before making his move leaving the quarter pole, quickly speeding clear to be safely ahead of runner-up Nakamura when it mattered.

Postulation was another 1 3/4 lengths behind Nakamura in third, with Midnight Tea Time another 1 1/2 lengths back when holding fourth by a nose over Zumurudee. Focus Group, the 13-10 favorite, was no real threat when finishing sixth.

“He was really happy in the position we were in,” said Santana, who picked up the mount vacated by the injured Florent Geroux. “I just let him go and he went on.”

Marzo, a 4-year-old gelding by Medaglia d’Oro, now has won four of 16 starts, with this being easily his most important win to date.

The $2 exacta (10-4) paid $188.80, the $1 trifecta (10-4-6) returned $656.10, and the 10-cent superfecta (10-4-6-2) was worth $481.44.

The Keeneland fall stakes schedule continues Friday with the Grade 3 Pin Oak Valley View and follows with the Grade 2 Raven Run on Saturday and Grade 3 Dowager on Sunday. The Grade 2 Fayette closes the meet next Saturday, Oct. 26.