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Maker Sends Three In Search Of Eighth Victory In Connally Turf Cup

The Houston Racing Festival will take place on Sunday, Jan. 31 with a special afternoon post time of 1:45 pm (CT). The event includes six stakes, highlighted by the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic with the acclaimed Connally Turf Course receiving its fair share of attention in the entry box as well.

Trainer Mike Maker has won seven of the past nine editions of the Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup which is contested at the distance of one and one-half miles. A field of 12, including three turf specialists from the barn of Maker will compete in this year's edition.

One of his prospects this year, Three Diamonds Farm's Marzo, ran third in last year's edition of the race before running in the G1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga. Sired by Medaglia D' Oro, Marzo has won four races and $310,000 to date. He will break from post six with Albin Jimenez in the saddle.

“Marzo had been off since running in the Sword Dancer last August at Saratoga,” said Maker. “He did not handle the synthetic surface at Turfway Park (on Dec. 31). We just used that race as a workout.”

Ajourneytofreedom closed to complete the superfecta in the $100,000 Gio Ponti at Aqueduct last November for owners Paradise Farm Corp. and David Staudacher. The 4-year-old gelded son of Hard Spun will be ridden by Jesus Castanon, breaking from post three.

“I believe he will love the Sam Houston turf course,” Maker stated.

Maker's third starter is Conviction Trade, who was claimed by Staudacher and tested his distance prowess last month in the H. Allen Jerkens, a two-mile turf stakes at Gulfstream Park. The Kentucky-bred son of Exchange Rate held the lead throughout the race, but had to settle for second.

“He had a good trip and showed his liking for the distance,” said Maker, who will give a leg up to rider Rafael Hernandez. “He was a little unlucky to lose, but that should set him up well for the Connally.”

Maker's past Connally winners include Papa Bodie in 2012; Admiral Kitten in 2014; Coalport in 2015; Da Big Hoss in 2016 and a three-peat by Three Diamonds Farm's Bigger Picture who captured the 2017-2019 editions of the turf stakes. Last year, Maker finished second and third to the Brad Cox trained Dot Matrix.

“I was disappointed, for sure,” admitted Maker. “I felt that each of my horses had a chance, but that's racing. Guess I will just have to start a new streak on Sunday!”

Maker's trio will have some very stiff competition from a number of quality turf runners including Spooky Channel who has been tabbed as the 5-2 morning-line choice. Owned by Terry Hamilton, he is impeccably bred for the turf, sired by English Channel out of the Kitten's Joy mare Spooky Kitten. Trainer Brian Lynch gave the chestnut gelding a freshening following his start in the G1 Manhattan last July at Belmont Park. His first race back was the G1 Ft. Lauderdale on Dec. 12 at Gulfstream Park, where he ran fourth to Largent. Lynch opted to send the eight-time winner to Houston instead of defending his title in the W.L. McKnight last Saturday at Gulfstream Park. He drew post position ten and will be ridden by Julien Leparoux.

“I thought the Connally was a very appealing fit,” said Lynch from his base in South Florida. “Spooky Channel is a marathon sort of horse and Julien has won on him before. He came off a long layoff for the Ft. Lauderdale and finished well. I believe he will enjoy the Houston turf course.”

Signalman will make his first start at Sam Houston when trainer Ken McPeek sends in the 5-year-old son of General Quarters for owners Tommie M. Lewis, Steve Crabtree, Dean Demaree, David A. Bernsen, LLC and Jim Chambers. The Kentucky-bred will be making his 18th career start and has already banked $671,005, largely from his purse money from the 2018 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and victory in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. Jockey Reylu Gutierrez has the mount and will break from post position two at odds of 12-1.

“He has run well on the synthetic (at Turfway Park) and I definitely think he will like the distance,” said McPeek. “In a full field, it's all about the timing, but I feel Reylu will get him into a good position.”

Claim To Fame Stable's Tut's Revenge has a solid turf record with five wins from seven starts for trainer Clinton Stuart. The 5-year-old gelding by Eskendereya had a great season at Remington Park, winning his last two and finishing second in the Remington Park Green. Ry Ekleberry has the call at odds of 9-2.

The John B. Connally Turf was awarded Grade 3 status in 2006 and boasts a solid roster of past winners including Chorwon, Fort Prado, Rod and Staff as well as three-time winners, Candid Glen and Bigger Picture.

The field for the Connally Turf Cup, to be run as race nine, from the rail, with riders and morning-line odds:

Celerity, Iram Diego, 30-1; Signalman, Reylu Gutierrez, 12-1; Ajourneytofreedom, Jesus Castanon, 10-1; Tenfold, Stewart Elliott., 6-1; Conviction Trade, Rafael Hernandez, 7-2; Marzo, Albin Jimenez, 10-1; Tuts Revenge, Ry Ekleberry, 9-2; Chagi, Weston Hamilton, 50-1; Vettori Kin(Brz), Miguel Mena, 20-1; Spooky Channel, Julien Leparoux, 5-2; Strong Tide, Sophie Doyle, 30-1 and Henley's Joy, Declan Carroll ,15-1.

As previously announced, the ninth renewal of the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic will run as the eighth race on the Houston Racing Festival Card. The field of seven, from the rail, with riders and morning line odds, is as follows: Motion Emotion, Miguel Mena, 7-2; Jeweled Princess, Reylu Gutierrez, 8-1; Ujjayi, Rafael Manuel Hernandez, 6-1; Lady Apple, Stewart Elliott, 4-1; Figure It Out, Lane Luzzi, 15-1; Shes Out Fastest, Ry Ekleberry, 20-1 and Letruska, Jesus Castanon, 1-1.

“The goal five years ago was to create a special day of racing not only for our fans in Houston but develop an event that would evolve into a great day of racing on a national level,” said Frank Hopf, Sam Houston Race Park's Senior Director of Racing Operations. “None of this is possible without the tremendous support we have received from the trainers and owners. The 2021 edition of the Houston Racing Festival is an indication we are getting closer to our goal.”

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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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