Riding with the Comet in Maker's Mark Mile Stakes

An especially well-matched field of nine talented turf performers will line up in Friday’s $300,000 Maker’s Mark Mile S. (G1) at Keeneland. A trio of contenders were last seen competing in the deep Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. (G1) at Santa Anita, and I think two of those will have a major say in the outcome of a fantastic race.

Maker’s Mark Contenders

#1 GET SMOKIN (8-1) -- Bush trainee was a fine winner of the Tampa Bay S. (G3) in his four-year-old debut. Empire State-bred has plenty of early foot and rates an upset chance with a forward move second off the shelf.

#2 HIT THE ROAD (4-1) -- Streaking More Than Ready colt impressed with a game tally in the Kilroe for Blacker most recently. The top miler has won four on the green in succession, and he retains Geroux, too. Kentucky-bred will track the pace while never far back to the stretch.

#3 SOMELIKEITHOTBROWN (6-1) -- First from the Maker shedrow didn’t fire in his 2020 finale, but is training like a horse sitting on a big effort. Big Brown five-year-old will bring pace to the race with Velazquez picking up the mount.

#4 SACRED LIFE (4-1) -- Bay will make his seasonal bow in a tough spot for Chad Brown. Talented Siyouni six-year-old possesses a powerful late kick, and the French-bred will likely receive a strong pace to aid his late rally. Castellano will be up.

#5 DARAIN (8-1) -- Dubawi colt, who was a massive $4.8 yearling purchase, displayed a fine turn of foot in dominating allowance foes at Fair Grounds in his second U.S. endeavor. The bay four-year-old takes a huge class jump on Friday, and while he could be any kind with more seasoning, this looks like a tall task for him.

#6 RIDE A COMET (6-1) -- Top pick is five-for-seven on the lawn including a visually impressive score in the Tropical Turf S. (G3) two prior. The son of Candy Ride didn’t fire at Santa Anita last time out, but he has trained well since and could get a dream set up under Gaffalione.

#7 FLYING SCOTSMAN (30-1) -- Outsider led to the turn for home before retreating in the Kilroe for Sisterson. Chestnut son of English Channel is hard to back, but his pace will play an important part in the race, nonetheless.

#8 RAGING BULL (7-2) -- Second from the Brown barn has run some big races in this event, finishing a close fourth in 2019 and a neck third in last year's edition. Dark Angel six-year-old will try to go last-to-first with Irad in the stirrups.

#9 FIELD PASS (8-1) -- Sneaky contender draws widest and has yet to prove that he is of Grade-1 quality as of yet for Maker, but he is appealing to me for a few reasons. The gray son of Lemon Drop Kid comes in fresh and owns a versatile running style. The consistent colt gets the white-hot Rosario, too. Worth including at a price.

Maker’s Mark Wagers

• $10 win and place on #6 Ride a Comet ($20)
• $6 exacta box: 2-6 ($12)
• $.50-cent trifecta: 2,6 with 1,2,6,8,9 with 1,2,6,8,9 ($12)