Pegasus Turf Hopeful Flavius Transferred to Mike Maker

To trainer Mike Maker, you can never have enough horses for Gulfstream Park's $1 million Jan. 29 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1), so imagine his delight when owner Michael Iavarone called and told Maker that he'd purchased Flavius  for $230,000 at Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale.

Maker said Flavius is his kind of horse, but one that just dropped into his shedrow out of the blue.

"I had nothing to do with it. They called me up and asked if I'd like to take him. That was it," he said, adding cheerfully, "Good day for me."

Previously owned by breeder Juddmonte Farms and trained by Chad Brown, the 6-year-old Flavius won four of 14 starts, with three seconds and two thirds, earning $737,651. The son of War Front  's career is highlighted by wins in this year's Fasig-Tipton Lure Stakes at Saratoga Race Course and the 2020 $750,000 Tourist Mile Stakes at Kentucky Downs. He also placed second in the 2020 Seabiscuit Handicap (G2T) at Del Mar.

Prior to going through the ring at Keeneland, where he was consigned by WinStar Racing, he ran third as the favorite in the Nov. 13 Artie Schiller Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Flavius had his first recorded workout for Maker Dec. 11, powering five furlongs in :59.44, the fastest of 20 works at the distance that morning on the main track at Gulfstream. He recorded another bullet work Dec. 18, clocking five furlongs in 1:00.11.

In addition to Flavius, Maker might have three other viable contenders for the Pegasus Turf with Field Pass , Atone , and Cross Border .

Field Pass earned the right to pursue the Pegasus Turf by capturing last month's Seabiscuit Handicap. Owned by Three Diamonds Farm, the Lemon Drop Kid  4-year-old has raced all over the country but only once before at Gulfstream, winning the 2020 Dania Beach Stakes. A multiple graded stakes winner, he has earned $913,143.

"He's a model of consistency, sound, danced every dance," Maker said. "Travels all over."

Atone and Cross Border, both owned by Three Diamonds Farm, also are possible for the Pegasus Turf, Maker has said. Atone (by Into Mischief  ) finished a solid second Dec. 18 in the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G2T) behind Doswell . Millionaire Cross Border, third in this year's running of the Pegasus Turf, landed the Bowling Green Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga in July. The 7-year-old English Channel  runner recently circled the field when capturing the Dec. 18 Prairie Bayou Stakes at Turfway Park.

Maker said the Pegasus Turf fills an important void on the stakes calendar by offering a big-money grade 1 grass race in January.

"There aren't very many options on the grass in the winter," he said.