Chez Pierre comes home a winner, champion Modern Games settles for second (Keeneland Photo)
Keeneland Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.— Lael Stables’ Chez Pierre (FR) bid adieu to the rest of the field at the three-sixteenths pole and cruised to a 3½-length victory over champion Modern Games (IRE) to win the 35th running of the $600,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) Friday afternoon at Keeneland.
Earlier on the program, Stonestreet Stables’ Love Reigns (IRE) won the fourth running of the $250,000 FanDuel Limestone (L) for 3-year-old fillies by a half-length over stablemate Lady Hollywood (GB).
In the Maker’s Mark Mile, Chez Pierre covered the mile on a firm turf course in a stakes-record 1:33.46 to give trainer Arnaud Delacour and jockey Flavien Prat their first victory in the race. The previous stakes record of 1:33.54 was established in 2004 by Perfect Soul (IRE).
Chez Pierre led the field of eight through an opening quarter-mile in :23.67 with Dr Zempf (GB) second and Modern Games racing in fourth while in the clear.
Midway on the run down the backstretch, Dr Zempf shot past Chez Pierre and took the field past the half-mile in :47.66. Dr Zempf maintained a daylight advantage on the far turn, where Prat re-engaged with Chez Pierre.
Chez Pierre drew even turning for home, quickly put away Dr Zempf and opened a huge cushion on the field. He never was threatened in the run to the finish with Modern Games rallying late to get second by a neck over Up to the Mark.
Chez Pierre is a 5-year-old gelded son of Mehmas out of the Orpen mare Hortensia. The victory was worth $298,375 and increased his earnings to $427,791 with a record of 7-6-0-0.
Chez Pierre rewarded his backers with payoffs of $20.84, $6.66 and $3.80. Modern Games, ridden by William Buick, returned $2.42 and $2.10 with Up to the Mark returning $3.40 to show under Irad Ortiz Jr.
It was another 1¼ lengths back to Cabo Spirit, who was followed in order by Speaking Scout, Dr Zempf, Emmanuel and In Love (BRZ).
