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Maker Holds Strong Hand in Sword Dancer

When it comes to Grade Is on the turf in New York, it is typically Chad Brown who has three or four strong entries. However, in Saturday’s GI Sword Dancer S. at Saratoga–a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf–Brown is surprisingly absent and it is Mike Maker saddling a strong trio.

Cross Border (English Channel) appeared to come up up a neck short of likely race favorite Sadler’s Joy (Kitten’s Joy), who won the 2017 renewal of this race, in this venue’s GII Bowling Green S. last time Aug. 1, but was promoted to first after that re-opposing rival was disqualified and placed fourth for interference. Prior to that, he romped by 6 1/4 lengths in the state-bred Lubash S. at the Spa July 22.

“I don’t know what it is about Saratoga, but he seems to flourish up here,” said Maker’s assistant Nolan Ramsey. “Not only does he show it in his past performances, but physically the horse does well up here. His coat looks great and he really enjoys his training. We nicknamed him ‘The Machine’ because he just really gets into his training. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it is about Saratoga, but he likes it up here.”

His stablemate Aquaphobia (Giant’s Causeway) is the latest example of Maker’s success at the claim box. Haltered for $62,500 in January, he won the Old Man Eloquent S. in the claiming crown Feb. 17 and was fourth next out in the GII Mervin Muniz Memorial S. at Fair Grounds Mar. 21. Runner-up in the Sunshine Forever S. back in Hallandale May 9, the bay was fourth in Churchill’s GII Wise Dan S. June 20 and captured the GI United Nations S. at Monmouth last out July 18, good for a 103 Beyer Speed Figure.

Completing the Maker trio is Marzo (Medaglia d’Oro), also claimed for $62,500 back in August of last year. Capturing the GIII Sycamore S. at Keeneland in October, the gelding was third in his seasonal bow in the GIII John B. Connally S. at Sam Houston Jan. 26. Seventh in the Mervin Muniz, he was subsequently shelved and resurfaced in the Bowling Green, where he set the early pace before fading to fifth.

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Streaking Cross Border Headlines ‘Win And You’re In’ Sword Dancer

Trainer Mike Maker will saddle a trio of top contenders, led by New York-bred Cross Border, who will look to win his third race of the 2020 Saratoga Race Course summer meet in Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Sword Dancer.

The Sword Dancer, a 12-furlong inner turf test for 4-year-olds and upward, offers an automatic berth in the Grade 1, $6 million Breeders' Cup Turf on November 7 at Keeneland Race Course.

Saturday's blockbuster card offers four graded events including the Grade 1, $300,000 Forego presented by America's Best Racing at seven furlongs on the main track for older sprinters; the Grade 2, $150,000 Amsterdam at six furlongs for sophomore sprinters; and the Grade 3, $100,000 Saranac at one mile on the inner turf for 3-year-olds.

Three Diamonds Farm, currently third in the Spa summer meet owner standings with six wins, will be represented by Maker trainees Cross Border and Marzo.

Bred in the Empire State by Berkshire Stud and B. D. Gibbs, Cross Border is a perfect 5-for-5 at Saratoga. The 6-year-old English Channel ridgling notched the natural hat trick last summer at the Spa, winning an open allowance in July ahead of August scores in a restricted allowance tilt and a restricted optional-claiming event.

That run of form propelled Cross Border to the Grade 1 Turf Classic Invitational in October at Belmont Park, where the dark bay earned a career-best 101 Beyer Speed Figure when fifth, defeated 2 ½-lengths to Arklow.

Cross Border earned graded-stakes placed status in January when second by a neck to Spooky Channel in the Grade 3 William L. McKnight at Gulfstream Park and two starts later was defeated just a length to Instilled Regard when fifth in the Grade 1 Manhattan on July 4 at Belmont.

His Saratoga domination continued anew on July 22 when 6 ¼-lengths the best in the 1 1/16-mile Lubash for state-breds, and despite being wheeled back on just ten-days rest, Cross Border crossed the wire second in the Grade 2 Bowling Green and was elevated to first following the disqualification of Sadler's Joy for lugging in and bumping Cross Border, who was forced into the path of Channel Maker.

“I don't know what it is about Saratoga, but he seems to flourish up here,” said Maker assistant Nolan Ramsey. “Not only does he show it in his past performances, but physically the horse does well up here. His coat looks great and he really enjoys his training. We nicknamed him “The Machine” because he just really gets into his training. I couldn't pinpoint exactly what it is about Saratoga, but he likes it up here.”

Ramsey said the added distance Saturday should be within reach for Cross Border.

“I think he's probably best a mile and three-eighths. At a mile and a half, if we get the right set up, it shouldn't be a problem,” said Ramsey.

Jose Ortiz retains the mount aboard Cross Border from post 6.

Marzo, bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, set the pace in the Bowling Green and stayed on for fifth, defeated 2 ¼-lengths. The 5-year-old Medaglia d'Oro gelding made the grade in the Grade 3 Sycamore in October at Keeneland traveling 12 furlongs. Winless in five starts following the Sycamore score, Marzo did earn blacktype when third in the Grade 3 John B. Connally at Sam Houston in January.

“The horse is doing exceptionally well and he's proven at a mile and a half,” said Ramsey.

Ricardo Santana, Jr. will guide Marzo from post 3.

Maker will also saddle Grade 1 winner Aquaphobia, who has posted 8-of-9 career wins on firm turf. The 7-year-old Giant's Causeway gelding, bred in Kentucky by Mr. and Mrs. M. Roy Jackson, broke through at the highest level last out when stalking and pouncing to a one-length win in the 11-furlong Grade 1 United Nations on July 18 at Monmouth Park.

Maker claimed the horse for $62,500 in January at Gulfstream and promptly won the Old Man Eloquent in February traveling 1 1/16-miles on the Gulfstream Park turf. Owned by Paradise Farms Corp., David Staudacher, Hooties Racing and Skychai Racing, Aquaphobia was a good second to recent Grade 1 Fourstardave victor Halladay in the Sunshine Forever in May at the Hallandale Beach oval.
Out of the multiple Grade 1-winning Real Quiet mare Pussycat Doll, Ramsey said the veteran bay exudes class.

“He's been a horse that was on my watchlist for a longtime. We've always liked him,” said Ramsey. “We picked him up this winter at Gulfstream and he's really flourished for us. He's really come together. I think the more distance he gets the better he is. He's an all-class horse and I don't think it matters whether it's a mile and a quarter, mile and three eighths or a mile and a half, he seems to be able to handle it all. He's a very professional horse and I expect a big race from him.

“I loved his breeding and I loved his running style,” added Ramsey, regarding the productive claim. “He's a very honest, very classy horse. They're kind of hard to come by, a horse that can be as honest as him for as many years. He's always been right there. That's something we always look for.”

Irad Ortiz, Jr., leading rider at the Spa with 44 wins heading into Wednesday's card, picks up the mount from post 2.

Al Shahania Stud America's Pedro Cara, a 4-year-old French-bred son of Pedro the Great, enjoyed a productive sophomore season that included wins in the Prix Frederic de Lagrange in July at Vichy and the Group 2 Qatar Derby in December at Doha. In between those winning efforts, Pedro Cara was a game second, defeated just a nose to Spanish Mission, in the Jockey Club Derby Invitational in September at Belmont.

Pedro Cara made his seasonal debut in February at Doha when third in the Group 1 H.H. The Amir Trophy at Doha, a length and a half back of the Graham Motion-trained runner-up Standard Deviation.

The gelding was subsequently transferred to the care of Motion and will make his first start in eight months, having breezed weekly on the all-weather surface at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland for Motion since July 11, including a seven-furlong effort in 1:27.60 on August 24.

“He ran in Qatar when I took Standard Deviation over, so that was my first introduction to him,” said Motion. “He didn't get over here until the summer and he had a bit of a foot issue when he got over here, but he hasn't missed a beat since we started breezing him.”

Motion said Pedro Cara should be a factor in the wide-open Sword Dancer.

“I think he's a gritty little horse. He's not very big but he's tough,” said Motion. “There's not a real standout in this division, so he fits in well with this group of horses.”

Hall of Famer John Velazquez will have the call from post 7.

Woodslane Farm's Sadler's Joy will make his fourth appearance in the Sword Dancer for trainer Tom Albertrani. The 7-year-old Kitten's Joy horse won this event in 2017, finished sixth in 2018 and last year rallied bravely to finish second by a neck to Annals of Time.

The Kentucky homebred chestnut shows no signs of slowing down in his fifth season of racing having posted Beyer Speed Figures ranging from 96 through 101 in five starts. The late-running Sadler's Joy finished third, defeated less than a length, in the Grade 1 Manhattan in July at Belmont and crossed the wire first last out in the Bowling Green before being demoted to fourth.

He will emerge from post 8 under Hall of Famer Javier Castellano.

Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R.A. Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's multiple Grade 1-winner Channel Maker will make his third appearance in the Sword Dancer following a runner-up effort in 2018 and a fourth last year.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the 6-year-old English Channel gelding broke through at the top flight in the 2018 Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic in August at the Spa and doubled up in the Grade 1 Man o' War in May 2019 at Belmont Park, which was his last winning effort.

Bred in Ontario by Tall Oaks Farm, Channel Maker boasts a record of 34-5-5-4 with purse earnings of $2,219,051. He arrives at the Sword Dancer from a troubled trip in the Bowling Green when elevated to third and will have the services of Manny Franco from post 4.

Rounding out the field are Highland Sky (post 1, Junior Alvarado) and Corelli (post 5, Joel Rosario).

The Sword Dancer is slated as Race 9 on Saturday's 11-race card, which offers a first post of 1:10 p.m. Eastern. Saratoga Live will present daily television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule.

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Cross Border Gets The ‘W’ In Bowling Green After DQ Of Sadler’s Joy

The 62nd running of the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., was not without some anxious moments during the stretch run, but Cross Border, 10 days removed from a victory in the Lubash, was awarded the victory and kept an unbeaten record at Saratoga intact for leading owner Three Diamonds Farm and trainer Mike Maker.

The dark bay son of English Channel was named the winner of the 1 3/8-mile event over the Mellon turf following the disqualification of four-time graded stakes winning millionaire Sadler's Joy, who was placed fourth due to interference within the final eighth of a mile. Cross Border arrived at the Bowling Green off a 6 1/4-length victory in the Lubash on July 22.

Stable mate Marzo established command heading into the first turn and opened up by five lengths past the Saratoga grandstand through an opening quarter-mile in 25.30 seconds and a half in 50.38 seconds over a firm turf course.

Meanwhile, jockey Jose Ortiz had Cross Border tucked along the rail in fourth with Sadler's Joy just to his outside. Approaching the far turn, Ortiz gave Cross Border his cue while Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano did the same aboard Sadler's Joy. At the top of the stretch, Cross Border was five wide in between horses with Sadler's Joy in pursuit.

In the final furlong, Sadler's Joy assumed command with Cross Border and Channel Maker to his inside coming in close quarters and crossed the wire first by a neck in a final time of 2:14.77.

Highland Sky, who crossed the wire third, was subsequently elevated to second.

Following the race, the stewards ruled that Sadler's Joy would be disqualified from first to fourth due to lugging into the path of Cross Border and Channel Maker who crossed the wire second and fourth respectively. Following the ruling, Channel Maker was elevated to third.

The official remaining order of finish was Sadler's Joy, Marzo and Dot Matrix. Pillar Mountain was scratched.

The triumph was a fifth victory in as many starts over the Saratoga turf for Cross Border, who joined Maker's stable last year.

“We weren't sure which horse would be the pacesetter, but Marzo coming off the layoff was up there. I thought Marzo ran an incredible race. When it comes down to a street fight, Cross Border is awfully tough,” Maker said.

The victory pushed Cross Border's lifetime earnings past the half-million mark to $534,471 after banking $137,500 in victory. He returned $6.40 for a $2 win wager.

The Bowling Green marked a fifth win of the meet for current leading owners Three Diamonds Farm.

“This is just a gutsy New York bred and it's good for the game that they can breed a New York bred that can win a Grade 2 at Saratoga,” said Three Diamonds Farm owner Kirk Wycoff. “We love the Bowling Green. We were second in it three years ago with Bigger Picture. It was a calculated risk to come back in 10 days and we weren't all in agreement, but Mike Maker made the decision and obviously it was the right one.”

The win was a third stakes victory of the meet for Maker, who also saddled Somelikeithotbrown to victory in Sunday's Grade 2 Bernard Baruch over the inner turf.

Bred in New York by Berkshire Stud and B.D. Gibbs, Cross Border is out of the Empire Maker broodmare Empress Josephine and comes from the same family as leading New York sire Central Banker.

Castellano, aboard Sadler's Joy, stated his case and said the contact was incidental.

“You could see I hit the hole when it opened and I saw the [other] horse, but I never came over,” Castellano said. “We were all on the same line and I think the inside horses was involved a little bit and we all ended up caught in an overreaction. Of course, that put everyone under pressure and they were going to blame the horse on the outside [Sadler's Joy]. It was a decision for the stewards.”

Live racing returns on Sunday with a 10-race card which features the $100,000 Birdstone for 4-year-olds and upward going 1 ¾ miles over the main track. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.

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Cross Border Much The Best In Wedensday’s Lubash At Saratoga

Three Diamonds Farm's Cross Border supported his heavy favoritism and kept a perfect record at Saratoga intact with a 6 ¼-length triumph in the inaugural running of the $85,000 Lubash on Wednesday over the Mellon turf at Saratoga Race Course.

The Mike Maker-trained dark bay son of English Channel arrived at the 1 1/16-mile event for New York-breds off a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Manhattan on July 4 at Belmont Park, where he finished a length behind Instilled Regard. Wednesday's race was his first start against his Empire State-bred counterpart since winning an allowance optional claiming event over Saratoga's inner turf in August 2019.

Breaking from the inside post under jockey Jose Ortiz, Cross Border took back and tipped off the inside moving into the three-path in third position as Blewitt led the field into the first turn. With The J Y tracking right to his outside in second, Blewitt controlled the pace through easy opening fractions of 25.48 seconds for the quarter-mile and 48.95 for the half over the firm turf course.

Around the far turn, Cross Border began inching his way into contention as Blewitt maintained his advantage under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez. Past the three-sixteenths pole, Cross Border had it all wrapped up, hitting the wire in 1:41.75. Rapt was second, a nose ahead of Blewitt. The J Y completed the order of finish. Dante's Fire and main track only entrant Yankee Division were scratched.

Returning $2.60 for a $2 win bet, Cross Border made his eighth trip to the winner's circle in 25 starts. Additionally, the Lubash was a first stakes triumph for Cross Border, who previously earned graded stakes black type when second in the Grade 3 W.L. McKnight at Gulfstream Park on January 25. Banking $46,750 in victory, Cross Border has now accumulated lifetime earnings of $396,971. A three-time winner over the turf at Saratoga last year, Cross Border is now unbeaten in four starts at the Spa.

“It looked like Todd's horse [Blewitt, No. 6] and Cross Border were the speed of the race. He's done well in the past stalking but on paper he looked like the class,” Maker said. “I think his tactical speed helps him, but also being a New York-bred and the conditions he had really helped him last year. Plus, it was a four-horse field here and a drop in class can't hurt.”

Maker did not rule out a start in the Grade 1, $500,000 Sword Dancer on August 29 at Saratoga, which offers an automatic berth into the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf on November 7 at Keeneland.

“It could be against New York-breds or it could be the Sword Dancer, but it will be something up here,” Maker said. “He's run very well up here last year and started off well here this year.”

Ortiz said that the trip went according to plan.

“He can go for bigger things in the future. He did it pretty easy,” Ortiz said. “I knew I had the 1-hole so I decided to take him back from the get-go and put him in that winning position. I knew Blewitt had some speed and the other horse outside me [The J Y, No. 2] had some speed, too. I didn't want get into a bad position with him, I just wanted to ride him like he was much the best.”

Bred in New York by Berkshire Stud and B.D. Gibbs, Cross Border is out of the Empire Maker broodmare Empress Josephine and comes from the same family as leading New York sire Central Banker.

Live racing returns on Thursday with a 10-race card which features the $100,000 New York Stallion Stakes Series (Statue of Liberty) for 3-year-old fillies over the Mellon turf course and the Grade 1, $100,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase going 2 1/16 miles. First post is 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

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