Trainer Ian Wilkes will team with jockey and son-in-law Chris Landeros and Modern Science in Saturday's $100,000 Kentucky Downs TVG Preview Dueling Grounds and Princess Causeway in Sunday's $100,000 Kentucky Downs TVG Preview Ladies Mile.
Landeros is having a huge meet, his 13 wins out of only 38 mounts ranking second in the jockey standings behind Brian Hernandez Jr.'s 18 after taking Saturday's first race on his father-in-law's horse. Wilkes, whose son Brodie is also Landeros' agent, also is second in the trainer standings with 10 victories out of 34 starters. Only Brad Cox (11 for 28) has more wins.
Modern Science went from winning a maiden race to finishing third by two heads in Canterbury Park's Mystic Lake Derby.
“He's a big colt and an improving colt, just getting better with age,” Wilkes said. “Just very pleased with the way he's trained and since he's done since.”
Princess Causeway finished fifth in last year's Ladies Mile held over very soft turf. In her only start this year, she was second in the $100,000 Lady Canterbury.
“She's stakes-placed now, we'll see if we can get a stakes win on her,” Wilkes said. “Last year, she came back and won on the dirt and I was giving her a shot to be a dirt horse. But this year I'm concentrating on her being a grass horse at anything up to a mile. I think she's won five races. She's a Giant's Causeway and has some talent. She's not the easiest horse to train, but she's tough. If we can get her to do that in the afternoon, I think we'll be fine.”
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