Make Music for Me to make his comeback in the Native Dancer
Ellen Johnson and Peter O. Johnson Sr.’s 5-year-old horse, Make Music for Me, has had dwelled in non claiming races, and in between participated in the graded stakes and stakes races, but there aren’t much race opportunities for horses in the non claiming scene, and that is why trainer Alexis Barba has chosen the Grade 3, $250,000 Native Diver Stakes for Make Music for Me.
It will be a tough spot for the son of Bernstein, who will run over the distance of 1 1/8 miles on the cushion track of Betfair Hollywood Park on 1 December, 2012.
“There is no other choice, unless I wait for Santa Anita,” trainer Alexis Barba said.
However, the Kentucky bred horse will face a stern test in the Native Diver that has reeled in some top of the line horses in the older horse division, and the likes of Game on Dude, Tres Borrachos, Richard’s Kid, Nonios, and Kettle Corn with the few others will form a formidable lineup to make a 8-horse field.
Game on Dude was sent as the 6 to 5 favourite in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park this November, and with Richard’s Kid and Nonios, the trio were fifth through seventh in the 1 ¼ mile Classic.
“It’s pretty spicy for a horse coming off a layoff,” Barba said. “That’s the only downside. I hate to run in that spot. Hopefully, we’ll run into a bunch of tired horses.”
Out of Miss Cheers by Carson City, Make Music for Me is coming off a 1 1/8 mile victory in an allowance race also at Betfair Hollywood Park on turf. After that victory in May, Make Music for Me was on an extended break from racing, mainly because of a splint bone injury he suffered after his victory in May.
“It was not horrible, but it was enough to give him a little time,” Barba said.
Out of 4 victories of 26 starts, Make Music for Me has only one stakes victory in the Pasadena Stakes on turf back in 2010, and after a couple of starts he was beaten by 4 ¾ lengths by Super Saver in the Kentucky Derby in fourth as a 30 to 1 outsider.
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