McCraken targets Metropolitan Mile

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – McCraken will make his next start in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile after exiting a flashy Kentucky Derby Day allowance victory at Churchill Downs in good order.

Making his first start in more than six months, McCraken swept from last to first in the one-mile allowance and earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure, tying a career high. Trainer Ian Wilkes is intent on more races at or around a mile in hoping the 4-year-old colt will prove worthy of a berth in the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill.

“He’s a happy horse right now,” Wilkes said. “He’s back to training and doing very well.”

The $1.2 million Met Mile is part of the June 9 Belmont Stakes card.

McCraken, bred and owned by Whitham Thoroughbreds, was one of the more highly regarded 3-year-olds of 2017 before ending his season with a seventh in the Travers and a distant third in the Fayette.

Wilkes, in the meantime, is off to a terrific start at the 38-day Churchill spring meet. Besides McCraken, he also won the Opening Verse on May 3 with Mr Cub, who runs back here in the Grade 2 Wise Dan on the June 16 Stephen Foster card. Through Sunday, Wilkes led the meet standings with seven wins.