Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes 2024 | Keeneland Picks

Aaron previews the 2024 Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes (G1) from Keeneland, then gives his top win pick from Friday’s feature horse race.

Will last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) champion Master of the Seas win his long-awaited seasonal debut?

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The press release:

Godolphin’s Master of The Seas (IRE), last seen winning the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF, headlines a field of eight entered for next Friday’s 36th running of the $600,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) for 4-year-olds and up racing over the Keeneland turf.

The Maker’s Mark Mile will go as the ninth race on the 10-race program with a 5:16 p.m. ET post time. First post is 1 p.m.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, Master of The Seas returns to Keeneland, where he finished second beaten a nose by eventual champion Up to the Mark in last October’s Coolmore Turf Mile (G1).

William Buick has the mount on Master of The Seas from post 4.

Godolphin and Appleby have another runner in the race in Naval Power (GB). Winner of the Singspiel (G2) in Dubai in his most recent start, Naval Power will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione from post 3.

Charles Fipke’s Shirl’s Speight, winner of the 2022 Maker’s Mark Mile, will attempt to join Wise Dan (2013-2014) and Kip Deville (2007-2008) as the only two-time winners of the race. Eighth behind Master of The Seas in the Breeders’ Cup, Shirl’s Speight will be ridden by Luis Saez from post 6 for trainer Roger Attfield.

Invading from California is Jill Baffert and Debbie Lanni’s Du Jour. Trained by Bob Baffert, Du Jour gained millionaire status by winning the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) in his most recent start on March 3 at Santa Anita. John Velazquez has the mount from post 7.

The field for the Maker’s Mark Mile is: