Maker claims second consecutive training title at Turfway
Turfway Park closed out its 46th winter/spring meet Sunday with repeats by
its leading rider and trainer and a first-time leading owner.
After ranking second among owners for the 2013 holiday meet, Ron Paolucci’s
Loooch Racing Stable took home its first leading owner title from Turfway with
13 winners from 27 starters since the meet began January 1. All of Paolucci’s
starters were saddled by trainer Jeff Radosevich.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey, who hold nine leading owner titles from Turfway, were
second with nine wins from 25 starters, and Olivo Inirio was third with five
wins from 42 starters.
Mike Maker won his second consecutive training title and his 14th overall at
Turfway, saddling 17 winners from 56 starters. Among his wins were the 96ROCK
Stakes with Harry’s Holiday, who later was second in the Spiral Stakes, and the inaugural running of the Hansen Starter
Handicap with Ghost Is Clear.
Radosevich, who returned to Turfway with a string in December after an absence
of several years, ended the winter/spring meet with 14 wins from 42 starters to
rank second. Kellyn Gorder was third with 10 wins from 31 starters.
Albin Jimenez won his first Turfway riding title in the 2013 holiday meet and
immediately backed it up with his second, leading the ranks for the
winter/spring meet with 55 wins from 247 mounts.
Perry Ouzts was second with 25 wins from 175 mounts. Jeremy Rose, riding the
Kentucky circuit for the first time, finished third with 23 wins from 98 mounts.
Turfway completed 30 1/2 days of its scheduled 37 days of racing amid some of
the harshest winter weather in two decades. By adding races to existing cards
and running two optional Sundays, however, the track was able to present all but
nine of the 304 races on its original schedule despite the cancellations.
“We very much appreciate our horsemen, riders and fans hanging in there with
us,” General Manager Chip Bach said. “Our Polytrack performed well, considering
the burden of ice and snow it bore through a nearly month-long stretch of
sub-freezing weather. And our Friday night parties, with the fun of live racing,
great bands, and drink specials, continued to pack the grandstand despite Mother
Nature.”
The centerpiece of the winter/spring meet was Spiral Stakes day on March 22, a
rare day of spring sunshine that saw Spiral Stakes
winner We Miss Artie earn his way to the Kentucky Derby in a three-way photo
finish. In the Bourbonette Oaks Aurelia’s Belle earned her way to the Kentucky Oaks. New to the
Spiral undercard was the Hansen Starter Handicap to honor Hansen’s eponymous Breeders’
Cup winner and Eclipse Award champion, since sold to stand in South Korea.
Turfway remains open for simulcasting Wednesday through Sunday each week and
welcomes a host of special events through the off-season, including its popular
Kentucky Derby party on May 3, concerts, MMA cage fights, and various charity
events.
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com