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----------------------------------------------------------- 2012
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2/4/12 - Mike has a terrific day
Mikes "OWNS" the WEBN Stakes - Mr. Prankster gives him his third WEBN win in a row, and William Butler's Magical Season was thid.! On the same day the Ramsey's Artemus Kitten ran second in the Jersey LillyS. to round out the start of a great weekend.
Courtesy of the Blood-Horse
Mr. Prankster emphatically answered the two-turn question Feb. 4, closing strongly and drawing off to win the one-mile WEBN Stakes at Turfway Park by 7 1/2 lengths.
In his only previous route race, the Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) at Churchill Downs, 3-year-old Mr. Prankster was a thoroughly beaten last of 11. That race was in November, however, and on Saturday he proved just how far he has come.
“Yes, I was worried about the distance,” said winning trainer Mike Maker. “But last time (he ran a route distance) he came off a layoff and he had some issues in-between. And obviously the competition (in the graded race) was stiffer than it was today. So I thought it was worth a shot today because, one, I’m half-owner and I stable here, and two, he ran well over the Polytrack at Presque Isle so I thought I’d keep him here for the stakes and try (two turns) again.”
Mr. Prankster broke last from the far outside post but not by much, as the field of nine jumped out together. Sunday Mass set the first quarter in :23.65 while pressed by Tiz Tee Time and Phantom Fury, and it was Phantom Fury who set the half-mile mark in :46.62. Mr. Prankster settled inside in sixth, nearly seven lengths off the lead through a half, but moved outside to make his move on the final turn, easily took the lead a few strides before the eighth pole, and drew off at will.
Phantom Fury was second, 2 1/4 lengths better than Magical Season in third. The final time was 1:39.18.
“We all broke in one pack, and if I’m 12-wide around the turn, it’s not going to make me look any good,” said winning rider John McKee. "So I eased my horse back, let the speed go, and angled down to save some ground on the first turn. "Down the backside he was taking me wherever I wanted to go. Turning for home I asked him, and he was here. He gave me two or three gears at one time.
"I was shocked (he got the two turns so easily), but really his bloodline (It's No Joke-Cremedelacramer, by Avenue of Flags) shows he can get it.”
Mr. Prankster was bred in Kentucky by Colby Fields, Greg Scherr, and Valorie Scherr. Maker shares ownership with Tom Conway. The colt now has three wins and two seconds in six career starts. The winner’s share of the $50,000 WEBN purse boosted his career earnings to $118,372.
The WEBN Stakes is the second of three local preps for the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (gr. III) on March 24. Mr. Prankster already won the first local prep, the Turfway Prevue, and Maker expects to bring him back for the third, the John Battaglia Memorial on March 3.
1/23/12 - HANSEN Set for Holy Bull G3 After Quick Dril
Courtesy of the Blood-Horse
Newly crowned juvenile champion Hansen breezed five furlongs at Gulfstream Park Jan. 22, completing the main preparation for his 3-year-old seasonal debut in the $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III). The Holy Bull, at one mile, is Jan. 29.
Hansen, a gray/roan son of Tapit out of the Sir Cat mare Stormy Sunday, was clocked in :59 4/5 while working in company with stakes-winning stablemate Lou Brissie, who was timed in 1:00 1/5. Hansen’s work was the third fastest of 39 recorded at the distance.
“It was nothing out of character,” trainer Mike Maker said. “He worked just fine.”
Front-running winner of the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs in his last start, Hansen outpolled Union Rags for the Eclipse Award in a decision announced Jan. 16. The colt is undefeated in three starts.
Maker expressed satisfaction with Hansen’s preparation for his 2012 debut in the Holy Bull, which is expected to also include Algorithms and Consortium, the first two finishers in a recent Gulfstream allowance. Fort Loudon, who swept the 2011 Florida Stallion Series, and stakes winner My Adonis are also expected to start.
“We’ve had no bumps in the road,” said Maker, who conditions Hansen for Dr. Kendall Hansen and Sky Chai Racing. “Hopefully, that trend continues”
Hansen has not been headed in his career, including back-to-back triumphs at Turfway Park by 12 ¼ and 13 ¼ lengths leading up to his game triumph by a head over previously undefeated Union Rags in the BC Juvenile. Maker said Hansen’s front-running style presents no imposing challenges in his training or racing performances.
“It’s no different than a closer, you’re dependent on the pace. You just hope no one makes him go quicker earlier than he has to,” Maker said.
Hansen, who has banked $1,153,305, is Maker’s first Eclipse champion.
1/14/12 - Mike garnered a stakes placing with JUANITA at the Fair Grounds.
Juanita,(f., 4, Mineshaft - Wishful Splendor, by Smart Strike) was inside, then outside and led in the stretch but was overtaken just at the wire in the Marie G. Krantz Memorial Handicap. She is owned by William S Patterson and Graydon and was bred by Padua Stables. She is pushed her earnings just shy of $250,000.
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On the same day at Turfway Park, Ramsey homebred KITTEN'S DANCER (f, 4, Kitten's Joy - Glory Dancer, by Honour and Glory) took an allowance race. She is a full sister to Full to SW GUNG HO.
1/7/12 - Mike lit up the board at Turfway Park as MR.PRANKSTER, owned by his trainer and Thomas Conway won the Turfway Prevue S. He came five wide and prevailed in the stretch. Second was another Mike Maker trainee, Magical Season. He was really shuffled back and came flying 8 wide for the place. He is owned by William Butler and was bred by Lee R Christian & Ben Kerrigone.
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