Playing a late runner in Maker’s 46 Mile

The Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile (9^th race) highlights a 10-race Friday the 13^th program at Keeneland and I expect the race to set up for a late runner.

Heart to Heart has one way to go and exits a wire-to-wire tally in the Gulfstream Park Turf (G1), but he’s recorded three consecutive runner-up finishes in Grade 1 races at Keeneland (including the last two editions of the Maker’s) and could face pressure from Om, who came to hand leading wire-to-wire through :22 2/5 and :45 2/5 splits in the Thunder Road (G3) two back and figures to send from his outside post with Flavien Prat.

Hogy is proving to be another veteran warrior for Mike Maker, discovering his best form at age 9 this season, and has evolved from sprinter to turf miler, recording his second two-turn stakes victory when rolling to a 3 ¾-length decision in the Canadian Turf (G3) last out. Leading rider Jose Ortiz will be up and Hogy should be flying late.

Race 7

First Commander will make his second start in the 7^th race, a 7-furlong test for 3-year-olds, and the Kiaran McLaughlin-trained colt appeared to need his first outing when racing greenly through the stretch at Gulfstream Park. His Grade 1-winning dam dropped into the maiden claiming ranks as was slow to come around early and First Commander won’t be the first son of Medaglia d’Oro to show more the second time out. I like his chances from post 3 with Irad Ortiz Jr.