Tut's Revenge has total path to victory in Eclipse Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Mike Maker and jockey Ramon Vazquez will attempt to win their third stakes together this meet at Oaklawn Park when they team with Tut’s Revenge in the new $175,000 Eclipse on Sunday.

The overnight stakes is a six-furlong offering for 4-year-olds and up. The field of 10 includes the Steve Asmussen-trained trio of Gun Pilot, Chasing Time, and Morello.

The Eclipse was created to complement the solar eclipse festival this week at Oaklawn. The event will reach a pinnacle on Monday with a major watch party in the infield on what is a dark day for the track.

Maker and Vazquez won last weekend’s Grade 3, $500,000 Oaklawn Mile with Frosted Grace and before that accounted for the $150,000 Pippin in January with Apple Blossom candidate Misty Veil. The trainer-jockey team will continue to be active after the current meet. Agent Bill Castle said Vazquez will base in New York until the return of racing next winter at Oaklawn. Maker, who also races in New York, said he plans to continue riding Vazquez, who last year was based in Southern California.

“There’s no reason not to,” he said. “He’s done a great job with us. We’ve had a lot of luck.”

The two will be hoping for more of the same with Tut’s Revenge, who seeks to become the fifth next-out winner to emerge from a Jan. 27 allowance sprint that carried an optional-claiming price of $62,500. Flying P Stable claimed Tut’s Revenge out of the race and he will be making his first start for Maker.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

Tut’s Revenge ran a big second that afternoon. Fifth-place finisher Radical Right has come back to win at the same level; sixth-place finisher Ruggs took a $25,000 claiming race; seventh-place finisher Stayed in for Half, won an allowance at Sam Houston; and ninth-place finisher Ninja Warrior accounted for a $62,500 starter allowance.

Tut’s Revenge, who is a three-time stakes winner, will start from post 7.

Mister Iceman, who was a supplement to the Eclipse, exits the same key race as Tut’s Revenge. He will start from post 8.

Asmussen’s trio will get good support. Chasing Time owns the field’s co-highest last-race Beyer Speed Figure, a 93 shared with another Maker entrant, Kavod. Gun Pilot is looking for his third straight win after allowance victories at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn. Morello is the most accomplished member of the field as a Grade 3 winner.

Tapatio Leo, who was a sharp allowance winner in February, has a chance to slip away depending on how the start goes after he breaks from post 6.

The infield event Monday costs $20 to attend, but children 12 and under are free. There will be live entertainment, activities for children, concessions, and food trucks.

Oaklawn also plans to open areas of its grandstand on Monday. The track is located in a prime viewing area for the eclipse and has embraced the forthcoming natural phenomenon with special concerts, vehicle giveaways, and added activities throughout the facility, which also features a hotel and casino.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.