Ten Out to Make Their Mark in Maker's Mark

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A field of 10 older turf milers including Claiborne Farm's Stroll, who is riding a five-race winning streak, have passed the entry box for Friday's Maker's Mark Mile (gr. IIT) at Keeneland. The $200,000 race also includes $2-million earner Perfect Drift.

Stroll, a 4-year-old by Pulpit   hasn't lost since running in a mile turf race over yielding going at Keeneland last April--but also hasn't been out since early last October. The Bill Mott-trained colt methodically climbed the stakes ladder last year, and polished off the year with wins in the Hall of Fame Handicap (gr. IIT), Jamaica Handicap (gr. IIT), and Calder Derby (gr. IIIT). Jerry Bailey will be aboard the 120-pound highweight. All other runners carry 116.

Perfect Drift won over this course last April for his lone turf win in three starts. Last year, Stonecrest Farm's son of Dynaformer won the Stephen Foster (gr. I), Kentucky Cup Classic (gr. II), and Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II) Handicaps before running sixth in the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I). Regular rider Pat Day is up for trainer Murray Johnson.

Two other unbeatens over the local course are Royal Spy and Perfect Soul. Royal Spy, a Tom Amoss-trained son of Peteski, won this race last year at 11-1. The Jayaraman family homebred is coming off a pair of optional claiming races at Fair Grounds where he hit the board in both efforts.

Charles Fipke's homebred Perfect Soul won last fall's Keeneland Turf Mile (gr. IT) prior to a ninth-place finish in the Breeder's Cup Mile (gr. IT). The son of Sadler's Wells will be ridden by Edgar Prado.

Maker's Mark Mile (gr. IIT), Keeneland, $200,000, one mile, turf, 4-year-olds and up, Friday, April 9, 5:15 p.m. EDT
PP, Horse, Jockey, ML
1, Freefourinternet, Craig Perret, 12-1
2, Royal Spy, Robby Albarado, 10-1
3, Burning Roma, Jesus Castanon, 8-1
4, Millennium Dragon, Richard Migliore, 7-2
5, Perfect Drift, Pat Day, 3-1
6, Stroll, Jerry Bailey, 5-1
7, Perfect Soul, Edgar Prado, 4-1
8, Honor in War, David Flores, 8-1
9, Needwood Blade, Javier Santiago, 15-1
10, Hear No Evil, Jose Garcia, 20-1

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