Sister Blues first starter for Lucky Seven-Cox team

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Mackin family of Louisville has employed a number of different trainers since the Lucky Seven Stable was formed nearly 20 years ago by the late Leo Mackin, and now they’ve turned to Brad Cox, one of the hottest trainers in the Midwest.

Lucky Seven had used Tom Proctor as its trainer in recent years, but Proctor moved his primary base to Fair Hill in Maryland, and the Mackins want to be based in Kentucky, said Cox.

Their first starter as an owner-trainer team comes Friday at Churchill Downs, where the homebred Sister Blues will go postward in the $52,000 eighth race as a top contender following a sharp runner-up finish last month at Keeneland in her final start for Proctor.

“She acts like she’s a really nice filly,” said Cox, whose 2016 stable earnings of nearly $2.5 million ranked him 12th among North American trainers entering this week.

The Mackins own Metal Sales Manufacturing and the local Yellow Cab franchise. Leo Mackin, who died in 2000, had five children with his widow, Ginny, and thus the name Lucky Seven. The stable’s stakes winners have included Crafty Shaw, trained by Pete Vestal; Minister’s Baby (Ken McPeek); and U D Ghetto (Tony Reinstedler).

The Friday feature, a 1 1/8-mile turf race that drew a well-matched field of 10 fillies and mares, is the lone allowance on a nine-race card. It’s part of the 20-cent Single Six (races 4-9), which offered a carryover jackpot of more than $400,000 when the five-day race week began Thursday evening.

First post Friday is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the feature set for 4:19.

KEY CONTENDERS (race 8)

Sister Blues, by Pioneerof the Nile

Last 3 Beyers: 80-77-58

◗ She had a breakthrough victory in a conditioned claimer in early March over the Tampa Bay turf, then followed up with a similarly strong effort at Keeneland behind Dyna’s Recoleta.

Queen’s Princess, by Forestry

Last 3 Beyers: 74-74-72

◗ Gray filly has picked up checks more often than not.

◗ She finished third on dirt in a 1 1/16-mile Keeneland allowance last out and could appreciate the added distance.

◗ She’ll be ridden by Miguel Mena.

Walking the Kitten, by Kitten’s Joy

Last 3 Beyers: 79-72-79

◗ Has quite a bit of stakes experience but has been a beaten favorite three straight times for this same condition.

Bold Contender, by Strong Contender

Last 3 Beyers: 73-72-70

◗ Florida-bred filly won a 1 1/2-mile maiden turf race at Keeneland in her most recent start and now makes an interesting turnback in distance for trainer Eddie Kenneally.