It’s a well-known narrative: horseman Mike Maker makes his way to Kentucky Downs with a long-distance turf runner, oftentimes one he acquired through a claim, and emerges victorious in the Grade 2 KTDF Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes. This occurred five times between 2015 and 2022, and now the most successful trainer in Kentucky Cup annals has augmented his total to six.
Ole Crazy Bone was the catalyst for Maker’s record-breaking feat on Sept. 6, pulling off a minor 6-1 surprise in the $2,496,667 million competition a mere 2 1/2 months after Maker secured the 5-year-old Ghostzapper gelding for $100,000 in late June at Churchill Downs. Following his acquisition and prior to the Kentucky Turf Cup, he experienced a problematic, yet rapidly closing, second-place finish in the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup Stakes Aug. 3 at Ellis Park over a shorter 1 1/4-mile distance.
The additional quarter mile proved to be precisely what Ole Crazy Bone required. Devouring the extra ground under the guidance of reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat, he overtook pacesetter Corruption en route to besting graded stakes winning runner-up Tawny Port by 3 3/4 lengths. The victor progressed from a stalking position behind opening fractions of :24.20, :48.87, 1:12.89, 1:36.61, and 2:00.75 to conclude the 1 1/2 miles in 2:24.72 on a course listed as good but maintaining considerable speed. He delivered a payout of $15.50 for the win.
Being a part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” Series, the Kentucky Turf Cup win grants Ole Crazy Bone an assured, pre-paid entry into the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf scheduled for Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
“(The owner) was already exclaiming Breeders’ Cup when I contacted him. I anticipate that’s the route we will pursue,” stated Maker, a victor in three Breeders’ Cup races, though never in the Turf.
Total wagering from all sources on Saturday’s Kentucky Downs program surpassed $25.3 million, marking a new pinnacle for the track.
Prat mentioned his uncertainty regarding Ole Crazy Bone’s remaining stamina late on the second turn. However, after his mount executed a lead switch in the stretch, “he truly locked in, surged forward, and accomplished the mission,” Prat remarked.
Corruption maintained position to secure third, while pre-race favorite Fort Washington traversed a wide path and ended in sixth place.
Bred by Adena Springs in Kentucky, hailing from the stakes-placed Smart Strike mare Southern Gem, Ole Crazy Bone secured his inaugural stakes victory in his 19th career race, succeeding three prior stakes placements. In addition to the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup for Maker and owner Jay Provenzano’s Flying P Stable, he previously achieved third place earlier in the year in the John B. Connally Turf Cup Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park and second place in the 2024 Texas Turf Classic Stakes while under the care of trainer Bret Calhoun.
Maker highlighted the favorable condition in which Ole Crazy Bone arrived at his stable, simply stating that the horse embodied the qualities he commonly seeks in a claim.
“I desired a horse that appeared to relish a mile and a half distance. We had the race at Ellis in consideration, and naturally, this race as well,” Maker explained.
