Somelikeithotbrown Brings Momentum Into Wise Dan Stakes
Image:
Description:
Photo: Skip Dickstein
Somelikeithotbrown enters the Wise Dan off a clear victory in the Dinner Party at Pimlico Race Course
After securing the most lucrative victory of his career in course-record fashion in his previous start, Somelikeithotbrown will attempt to earn an even greater purse June 26 on the turf at Churchill Downs in the $300,000 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T).
Skychai Racing and Sand Dollar Stable's Somelikeithotbrown set a course record May 15 at Pimlico Race Course when the 5-year-old Big Brown horse raced prominently throughout in the Dinner Party Stakes (G2T) before posting a clear victory over Talk Or Listen . Somelikeithotbrown completed that 1 1/16-mile test, formerly known as the Dixie Stakes, in 1:40.09 on firm turf.
Video: Dinner Party S. (G2T)
With the Dinner Party victory, Somelikeithotbrown earned his second grade 2 stakes win and ensured at least one graded stakes win in three straight seasons. Trained by Mike Maker, he registered his previous grade 2 win in last year's Bernard Baruch Handicap on the grass at Saratoga Race Course. At age 3 he won the $200,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on the synthetic surface at Turfway Park.
Maker believes Somelikeithotbrown can deliver another strong performance Saturday. Jose Ortiz, who was aboard in the record-breaking performance at Pimlico, is scheduled to ride.
"I expect another big effort. The horse couldn't be doing any better, look any better," Maker said. "So I expect the same results."
Somelikeithotbrown typically races on the lead or near the leaders early. Last out he tracked Flying Scotsman early before taking command in the stretch. Maker noted that he comfortably settled outside the rival and seems to prefer that as to being pressured while racing inside.
While Somelikeithotbrown will look to find his comfort zone early after he breaks from post 3 in Saturday's expected field of 10 older horses, late-running Set Piece figures to try to save ground early when he starts next to the hedge under regular rider Florent Geroux.
A homebred for Juddmonte Farms, Set Piece will be looking for his third straight stakes win on the course after opening the meet with a 1 1/4-length victory in the Opening Verse Overnight Stakes April 29 and following that effort with a four-length romp in the Douglas Park Overnight Stakes a month later.
Trained by Brad Cox, Set Piece has competed in one graded stakes in the United States since arriving from England ahead of last year's campaign. In that effort, Set Piece just missed earning a placing when he rallied from 10th early to finish fourth to Captivating Moon in the Fair Grounds Stakes (G3T) Feb. 13.
Other accomplished horses entered in the Wise Dan are Three Diamonds Farm's three-time grade 3 winner Field Pass , also trained by Maker, as well as John Oxley and My Meadowview Farm's Kennedy Road Stakes (G2) winner and Maker's Mark Mile (G1T) runner-up Ride a Comet .
With Saturday being the final day of the spring meet, the Wise Dan could play a factor in determining the meet's leading trainer as Maker and Cox enter the final three days of the meet in a tie with Brendan Walsh atop the standings. All three trainers have 17 wins at the meet.
Churchill Downs, Saturday, June 26, 2021, Race 10Entries: Wise Dan S. (G2T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
Set Piece (GB)
Florent Geroux
118
Brad H. Cox
-
2
Mutakatif (IRE)
Mitchell Murrill
118
Alberta Davies
-
3
Somelikeithotbrown (NY)
Jose L. Ortiz
120
Michael J. Maker
-
4
Super Sol (KY)
Gabriel Saez
118
Juan Munoz Cano
-
5
Hierarchy (KY)
Adam Beschizza
118
Joe Sharp
-
6
Kentucky Ghost (KY)
Rafael Bejarano
118
Victoria H. Oliver
-
7
Ride a Comet (KY)
Tyler Gaffalione
118
Mark E. Casse
-
8
Field Pass (MD)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
118
Michael J. Maker
-
9
Spooky Channel (KY)
John R. Velazquez
118
Jason Barkley
-
10
In Love (BRZ)
Joseph Talamo
118
Paulo H. Lobo
-
