Ramseys, Maker, Geroux Star at Kentucky Downs
Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey, trainer Mike Maker and jockey Florent Geroux all clinched repeat titles in their respective categories for the 2016 Kentucky Downs meeting.
Mike Maker
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Mike Maker
Maker, Geroux Sweep Kentucky Downs Stakes
Trainer Mike Maker and jockey Florent Geroux swept the stakes events Sept. 11 at Kentucky Downs and did so as impressively as seemingly imaginable.
Another Big Win for Da Big Hoss
"All I can say is he's the second-best marathon horse in the United States," said trainer Mike Maker, ceding the top position to five-time group/grade I winner Flintshire. "I think we just go right to the Breeders' Cup. He runs really well fresh."
Da Big Hoss Seeks KY Turf Cup Repeat
Da Big Hoss will face eight rivals Sept. 10 when he tries to become only the second horse to capture the $600,000 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup (gr. IIIT) twice.
New York Will Not Hear Sword Dancer Appeal
Saying the stewards' decision was a judgment call not subject to appeal, the New York State Gaming Commission will not consider an appeal of their choice to take no action against Inordinate in the Aug. 27 Sword Dancer Stakes (gr. IT) at Saratoga.
Da Big Hoss Ignites Graded Double for Sire
Sky Chai Racing's distance specialist Da Big Hoss easily held back good-closing Clondaw Warrior to win the $300,000 American St. Leger (gr. IIIT) Aug. 13 at Arlington International Racecourse.
Da Big Hoss Stands Tall in St. Leger
Da Big Hoss, a sharp winner of his last pair in stakes company, heads Arlington's 1 11/16-mile American St. Leger (gr. IIIT) on the Arlington Million XXXIV undercard.
Queen's Plate Top 3 Return in Prince of Wales
The top three finishers in the Queen's Plate Stakes--Sir Dudley Digges, Amis Gizmo, and All On Red--are set to face off in the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes July 26 at Fort Erie.
Greengrassofyoming Wins Stars and Stripes
Greengrassofyoming thrust out his nose in a pulsating four-horse finish to capture the Stars and Stripes Stakes (gr. IIIT) July 9 at Arlington International Racecourse as two-time defending winner The Pizza Man just missed in fourth.
Oscar Nominated, 'Jagger' Seek Turf Glory
The two have been most successful on turf, and if both advance to the Secretariat, they will be making their first grade I attempts on that surface.
Roman Approval Figures in Arlington Handicap
The Arlington Handicap (gr. IIIT) is without a clear-cut favorite, giving bettors many ways to go.
Sir Dudley Digges Upsets Queen's Plate
After a third-place run in the Plate Trial June 12, an extra furlong seemed to suit Sir Dudley Digges July 3 in the $1 million Queen's Plate at Woodbine.
Jockey Hernandez Returns to Action in Florida
Jockey Rafael Hernandez, who was injured in a racing accident at Gulfstream Park Feb. 20, returned to action at the Florida track June 12.
Big Rally for Da Big Hoss in Belmont Gold Cup
- By Frank Angst
Already enjoying success at distance races on the turf, Da Big Hoss found two miles also to his liking as he launched a big rally in the fourth turn on his way to a clear victory in the $300,000 Belmont Gold Cup Stakes June 10 at Belmont Park.
Smokem Kitten Makes the Grade in Miami Mile
Fresh off a course-record performance last time out, Ken and Sarah Ramsey's homebred Smokem Kitten captured his first stakes victory April 30 at Gulfstream Park.
Keeneland Ends With Handle, Attendance Gains
Keeneland concluded its spring meeting April 29 and reported gains in attendance and on-track and all-sources wagering.
Olorda Front-Running Winner of Bewitch
German-bred Olorda has found new life racing on the lead, as evidenced by a gate-to-wire win the $150,000 Bewitch Stakes (gr. IIIT) for fillies and mares April 29, closing day of the spring meet at Keeneland.
Da Big Hoss Bounces Back in Elkhorn Stakes
Da Big Hoss continued his good form in long turf races when he secured his second graded stakes win of the season going 1 1/2 miles on the grass April 23 in the Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland.
Imperative, Page McKenney Return for Charles Town Classic
Imperative and Page McKenney, second and third, respectively, behind Moreno in last year's Charles Town Classic (gr. II), are among 10 older horses entered in the $1.25 million event April 23 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
Oscar Nominated Derby-Bound Despite 'Plan C'
An interesting name popped up on the undercard stakes nominations for Kentucky Derby Day, but Ken Ramsey says not to get the wrong impression.
Oscar Nominated Takes Spiral for Ramseys
Oscar Nominated isn't nominated to the Triple Crown, but he's headed to the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) after his upset win in the $500,000 Horseshoe Cincinnati Casino Spiral Stakes (gr. III) April 2 at Turfway Park.
S'maverlous Stuns New Orleans Handicap Field
Longshot S'maverlous proved up to the challenge of his first stakes try and registered a clear victory in the $400,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) March 26 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Whatawonderflworld Entered in Spiral Prep
Gary Barber's Whatawonderflworld, who thus far has shown an affinity for turf and synthetic surfaces, is among a full field of 3-year-olds entered for the $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes March 12 at Turfway Park.
International Star Faces Mineshaft Four
International Star, who last year swept the 3-year-old prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, will reenter the graded ranks Feb. 20 in the $125,000 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) at Fair Grounds.
Da Big Hoss Sets Course Record in Turf Cup
Skychai Racing's Da Big Hoss got a perfect trip and made the most of it Jan. 30 at Sam Houston Race Park.
International Star, Stageplay Roll at FG
Ken and Sarah Ramsey's International Star got back to his winning ways Jan. 16 at the racetrack where he seemingly can't lose -- Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
International Star Makes Fair Grounds Return
Ken and Sarah Ramsey's International Star returns to the site of his greatest accomplishments Jan. 16, when the reigning Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner starts in the $60,000 Louisiana Stakes.
Ramseys Pin Louisiana Hopes on Uncle Walter
Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey's Uncle Walter looks to become the outfit's third consecutive winner of the $200,000 Twinspires.com Lecomte Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 16 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Kaigun Stretches Out Again in McKnight
The Casse trainee won a pair of graded stakes in 2014, but will be looking for his first victory of the year in the 1 1/2-mile McKnight.
Lanerie, Ramseys Take Churchill Titles
Jockey Corey Lanerie and owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey have locked up the respective jockey and owner titles at Churchill Downs as the 21-day fall meet enters its final day Nov. 29.
Mobile Bay Just Up in Zia Park Derby
Tigertail Ranch's homebred Mobile Bay got the bob and won the Zia Park Derby by a nose, while International Star checked in fourth in his first race since his victory in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) in March.
Da Big Hoss to Skip Sycamore for BC Turf
Skychai Racing's Da Big Hoss will bypass the Oct. 15 Sycamore Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Keeneland and head to the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) instead.
Kentucky Downs Posts Record Handle, Purses
Mike Maker, who scored in three consecutive races Sept. 19, was named top trainer of the 2015 Kentucky Downs meet while jockey Florent Geroux was the leading rider with 12 victories for the five-day season.
Young Trainer Sharp Gearing Up for Saratoga
Less than a year after starting out on his own as a trainer, Joe Sharp has made a big splash in New York and beyond, quickly establishing himself as a top young conditioner. He will have a string at Saratoga this summer.
Quiet Force Speaks Up in Arlington H.
Kevin Warner's Quiet Force, a sharp $40,000 claim in March 2014, comes from just off the pace to win the Arlington Handicap (gr. IIIT). The son of Dynaformer will likely start in next month's Arlington Million (gr. IT)
Churchill Sees Increase in Fields, Purses
Churchill Downs' 141st spring meet, which was highlighted by American Pharoah's victory in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), came to a close June 27 and saw increases in field size and purses.
New Injury Diagnosis for International Star
Upon further evaluation of sidelined Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner International Star, veterinarians have diagnosed a hairline fracture in his left knee.
Ramsey Hopes for Shining Star
Ken Ramsey said he is loaded with 2-year-olds for next year's Kentucky Derby, but International Star, who swept the Fair Grounds Derby preps, might get him the roses a year earlier than planned.
What They Said: Ky Derby Trainers' Dinner
More stories, quips, and insights from this year's Kentucky Derby Trainers' Dinner held April 28 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Louisville.
KY Derby: International Star Under the Radar
Trainer Mike Maker and International Star are out of limelight at Churchill Downs. watch video
Kentucky Derby: International Star Under the Radar
Trainer Mike Maker and International Star are out of limelight at Churchill Downs.
International Star Stays Home for Final Work
Ken and Sarah Ramsey's International Star stayed at trainer Mike Maker's base at the Churchill Downs Training Center for his final Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) workout April 25.
Derby Notes: Three Scheduled to Work Saturday
With rain in Saturday's forecast, connections of Kentucky Derby hopefuls International Star, Tencendur, and Keen Ice will try to stick to the plan of working Saturday, April 25.
Versatile Awesome Flower Set for Sixty Sails
Ken and Sarah Ramsey's versatile Awesome Flower appears the one to beat in the $150,000 Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) from Hawthorne Race Course on April 18.
International Star Sweeps to LA Derby Score
Ken & Sarah Ramsey's International Star capped a trio of 3-year-old prep wins at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots March 28 with a game victory in the $750,000 Louisiana Derby (gr. II).
Coalport Seeks Fifth Straight in Mervin Muniz
Ramsey 6-year-old homebred will face six opponents and carry topweight of 121 pounds in the 1 1/8-mile grass test
International Star Tops LA Derby Lineup
Ranked second on the leaderboard for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and winner of two local preps, International Star will attempt to ace the $750,000 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds on March 28.
Bourbonette is Anybody's Ballgame
The Pure Romance Bourbonette Stakes (gr. III) March 21 at Turfway Park is a 100-proof handicapping challenge with a full field of 3-year-old fillies going a mile on Polytrack.
Ramseys Nab Second Barbados Gold Cup
Sayler's Creek provided owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey with a second consecutive win the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, the signature race of the Barbados Turf Club, March 7 at Garrison Savannah racetrack near Bridgetown.
The Great War Back for More in Battaglia
The Great War, a blowout winner of the 96ROCK Stakes in his 2015 debut, will take the next step at Turfway Park when he faces 10 other 3-year-olds in the $125,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Feb. 28 at the Kentucky track.
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