Makers Mark Mile – Grade I
KEE Race #2 1m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

I entered a horse in this race that had over $600 in prize money and enough wins at stakes level that i thought he would make the field with ease. I was surprised when he didn’t until i looked closely at the field. As the races for older horses dry up so the three year olds start to take over and with this being one of the dwindling opportunities for fours and up it has drawn a field of superstars with over 16K in prize money between the eleven runners.

This is how they line up:

1 Immoral            Mb Stables            Jaramillo E

The winner of the BEL Derby and the Hirsch Turf Classic last year he also ran a fine third in the BC Turf putting him among the best turf three year olds in the game in 2020. He started off the season with a decent third in the Pegasus World Cup Turf but then ran an inexplicable race in the Kilroe Mile when starting last and finishing last. I am willing to write that race off for a few reasons, notably that the key players have pushed HRP into adjusting the race engine back to a closer version of last years race engine and that today rather than drawing out he is back in the ace draw from which the race engine miraculously allows him to stay closer to the pace with his notoriously slow start.
I expect a much better run from him today.

2 Lets Do It Big Boy             RNP Stables          McCarthy T

This seven year old son of Cherokee Sunset was just behind Immoral in the Pegasus but went on to a strong win in the Muniz Memorial Handicap with top weight and a terrible draw. Though he has won four grade two’s he has yet to break through at grade one level but gets his chance today from the perfect draw.

3 B N Broadway           Nolespan Racing            Court J K

This was one of those great claims from the stable that is well known for their prowess in that department. Six races after being beaten and claimed in a $14 claimer he had won three races and put the grade one Shoemaker Mile trophy in his cabinet. After finishing seventh in the BC Mile he was rested and ran a seasonal debut in the FG Stakes where he ran seventh but was close enough at the end to suggest that run would have brought him on a lot.
He is not one of the superstars in the race but a repeat of his Shoemaker Mile win could see him taking this at decent odds.

4 Hammerfest             Smokey Stover               Cedillo A

It is strange to think this horse has only won at ungraded stakes level or below and yet has drummed up $1.5K in prize money. Seconds in the BC Turf (beating Immoral) the WO Mile and the Secretariat as well as thirds in the BEL Derby and Pen Mile puts this one right up there with the best turf runners without a significant win to his name. Though his form suggests he would be good for a place and not a win his recent sub 1.34 work looks pretty good and will convince many although lets not forget that Z Cars recorded a 1.32.32 and still only won 7 from 23 and only 1K in prize money.

5 Anoush Command               Fractious               Gutierrez Mario

Consistency is a problem across the game but this one’s record really does go up and down like a yo yo. The winner of the FL Derby last year and a close fourth in the Preakness he went on to win the Queens Plate as well as OK run in the BC Dirt Mile. The surface means very little at HRP so after that great record on dirt he effortlessly switched to turf to win the grade one HOL Derby at the end of last year. His reappearance in the Pegasus World Cup was a bit flat but he then came out in the Kilroe Mile to make all and win from a terrible draw. Any horse in this race could be the champion turfer this year and this one is no exception and could be the one with the most upside.

6 Ohtani              Sccj Stables             Velazquez J R

On the face of it with 3 wins from 17 starts this one looks up against it but when you take a moment to look through his form he is right up there with the best of these. Beaten a neck in the BC Mile last year he also ran a good fourth in the BEL Derby from a tough draw. His three starts this year have been a bit off his BC Mile effort but a decent third in the Kilroe Mile last time signaled he could be coming back to his best. He does have a bit to find with the principal runners on the Kilroe Mile and BEL Derby form but the form is pretty fickle here at HRP so he has to go onto the list as a possible winner.

7 Show Shocker                 LionKing Stables                  Fuentes Ru

This one has a very similar chance to Ohtani here running third in the BC Mile and just a couple of lengths behind that runner in the Kilroe Mile. He proved in the Mathis Brothers Mile that he can run a sub 1.33 which is almost certainly needed in this race and after spending $250 to purchase this one the new trainer will be hoping for a quick return.

8 Going Gone             John Henry                Bridgmohan S X

Another son of Cherokee Sunset and another that has been around the top of his division for a long time. The winner of this race last year from a terrible draw he made all that day to win in 1.32 and 3. He added the DMR Mile and the Shadwell Turf Mile to his trophy cabinet as well in 2020 so has every chance of a famous double. He had good draws in both the San Marcos and Kilroe Mile in his two efforts this year but looked a shade one paced in running fourth in both. If those two efforts aren’t a sign of decline then he is right in this with a winning chance.

9 Iron Nation             Nakamura Stables               Carrasco V R

This one notched up a fantastic run last year winning three in a row in the SAR Derby, the WO Mile and culminating in the BC Mile to be voted as horse of the year. Of course the horse of the year as a three year old isn’t quite the same as running against older horses at levels and he has been exposed in his two runs this year with a poor effort in the Pegasus and a fourth in the Diarmida. It would be great to see him bounce back here and as his works haven’t declined there is no reason why not. The draw is tricky but he won the WO and BC Mile from wide draws so it shouldn’t be a problem.

10 Commander Wellesley              Jive Inc.             Saez G

This looks t be one of those HRP specials as after doing well and winning consistently at over night level but not being able to make his mark in stakes races he has come out this year as a much improved horse and is clearly on a steep upward curve in his improvement code. Beaten just a half length in the Kilroe Mile in his first ever run above grade three he could be anything if that curve is still going up. If ever there was a winner from the left field it is this one.

11 Gordon Drive           Estero Farms              Davis D

He had a sneaky chance although he probably would have needed an inside draw to make the top four on form to date. A grade one winner in the Jaipur he was then well behind some of his rivals in the BEL Derby and BC Mile and it is hard to see how he can turn it around. However there is no such thing as no chance at HRP and who knows maybe a suicidal pace will see this one flying down the outside unhindered.

SUMMARY

What a great race and what an impossible one to be confident about any of them winning. I expect the draw and the new old race engine that was negotiated will suit Immoral better and i expect a big run however i just think Anoush Command could emerge this year so i may go for him as a value bet. There really is so many good horses i would have to list eleven to be sure of getting a winner though. Good luck to all the owners.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES