The 18th Running of the G1 Makers Mark Mile
April 15, 2022
$600.000 1-Mile Turf
KEE Race #2 Post Time 18:45
4YO and Up 123 Lbs
Track Record-1:31.91 (A Little Oblivion-2012)
Stakes Record-1:32.28 (Royal Randwick-2005)
The 18th running of the $600.000 G1 Makers Mark Mile will serve as the Friday feature at KEE. We had eleven older turf milers pass through the entry box; however, with the scratches of Immookielee and Night Creature, we will have nine runners carrying the 124-pound impost. The G1 Makers Mark has been dominated by Mb Stables but the 4x winning trainer will be absent from this renewal. This year’s race sports SEVEN graded winners and EIGHT stakes’ winners from the nine left in the gate. It’s an intriguing race with the quality you’d expect in an early spring G1. Here’s the field for the G1 Makers Mark Mile:
#1 Cherokee Surprise (TwinTowersRacing/D. Davis): 5yo was a G1-winner last season at WO, but he’s not been very competitive in four races since. Draws the rail for this assignment and that always helps; however, needs a reversal of form in the worst way to reach contention against these.
#2 Money Truck (Spankys Barn/D. Van Dyke): 5yo enters here following back-to-back one length defeats after strong rallies. The latter of those efforts came in the G2 Muniz at FG last month where they went very, very fast early. Currently riding a nine-race losing streak and, for his career, is 0-12 with only 4 ITM finishes against graded company. Pass.
#3 Cold Weather Rider (Night Rider Stables/U. Rispoli): 8yo took a G3 in his seasonal bow but couldn’t successfully follow it up in G1 Kilroe Mile. He did make a strong rally to only be beaten a length while seventh that day and he looks to be in need of some pace help in here. Friday will be his 54th time in the starting gate, and while he’s done his very best work sprinting, this third try at this trip should suit him. He’ll be flying late.
#4 Plucky Flash (Rock Creek/Mario Gutierrez): Finished his 4yo season with a determined score in a G2 to cap a three-race winning streak, but hasn’t found the winner’s circle in two tries this season. Being drawn inside of the other speed in here should ensure that he’ll be able to get to the rail shortly after the start. He has shown the ability to take them all the way, but feels like he’ll have enough company to keep him honest on the front end.
#5 Nevada Silver (Nakamura Stables/V.R. Carrasco): G1 BC Mile winner has started his 4yo campaign slowly with two so-so efforts at GP. Hasn’t been able to flash as much early foot this season; however, with this being his third race off of a brief freshening, he could be sitting on a big effort. He’ll need his best against this group and feels like he may be ready to produce such an effort on Friday.
#6 Ptyrannical (Arindel/T.J. Pereira): 4yo became a G1-winner in his latest effort and looks to keep the positive momentum rolling. Retains the jock’s services from that effort and it appears he has multiple “winning” options in terms of how he attacks this assignment. Has the look of a horse that is going to be racing in these events all season long and he’s going to win his fair share. Top selection.
#7 Value Labor (Night Rider Stables/S.X. Bridgmohan): Purchased for $25.000 just before turning 4, this guy has yet to be headed in two starts for the new barn. Now, those races were definitive cuts below what he faces here, but the horse doesn’t know that. Looks like he’ll be a pace factor at the very least and that wouldn’t hamper his stablemate’s chances one bit.
#8 Lets Do It Big Boy (RNP Stables/J.C. Ferrer): 8yo needs no introduction as he’s running for the 59th time in a sensational career with no signs of slowing-down yet. Seasonal debut looks to be a toss as he returned to win a G3 and just miss in a G2 in subsequent starts. He’s another that likes to be involved early, but the vast majority of his work has come going longer trips; in fact, this will “only” be his 6th attempt at a flat mile and his only win at this trip came over five years ago. Still, he’s as tough as they come and he’ll be right there when the money’s on the line.
#9 Kid Commander (Allinthegate/J.R. Velazquez): 88% of his races, he’s finished ITM including 14 wins in just 25 starts. Closed into a strong pace to DH 2nd in G1 Kilroe Mile last month and will be trying the flat mile for just the 4th time in his illustrious career. Post doesn’t do him any favors but he appears capable of working-out a trip from everywhere. The fact that he’s running in this race on Friday can only be seen as a positive by those who like him as he could have run last weekend in the G2 sprint. Lots of positive vibes even from out wide.
Final Analysis: Can’t convince myself that Ptyrannical doesn’t sit the best trip in the race and that’s why we see it 6-9-8-3 with the minors offering a bit of wiggle room. Good luck to all of the participants in the G1 Makers Mark Mile!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
