Wilkes Babies Primed for Holiday Stakes

McCraken | Coady photography

Trainer Ian Wilkes could be in for a big Thanksgiving weekend, as he is set to saddle 'TDN Rising Star' McCraken (Ghostzapper) as the likely favorite in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. and Fun (Harlan's Holiday) in the filly counterpart, the GII Golden Rod S.

A Janis Whitham homebred, McCraken ran to the money in his 6 1/2-furlong debut at Keeneland, striding home a 2 1/2-length winner, and followed up with an 8-1 upset of the Oct. 30 Street Sense S., for which he earned the Rising Star designation. Though his charge brings that perfect record into next weekend's race, Wilkes is taking nothing for granted.

“Whether there are 10 or 12 horses in the starting gate, they still have to run,” the conditioner explained. “He's a nice colt, but you still got to break good, get a good trip. He always has worked well, always showed that he had a lot of talent, but how good he is you never know until you put him in that starting gate.”

The Jockey Club will mark McCraken's first try around two turns.

“[Two turns] shouldn't be an issue for him,” Wilkes insisted. “He's bred to get two turns and the way he runs and the way he wants to do things I don't think it will be a problem with him.”

McCraken most recently worked five furlongs in a bullet (1/22) five furlongs in :59.40 Nov. 15.

Owned by Dennis Farkas, Fun has just a maiden victory to her credit, but has acquitted herself well in graded stakes, with a runner-up effort to Sweet Loretta (Tapit) in the GIII Schuylerville S. in July and a recent third to Dancing Rags (Union Rags) in the GI Darley Alcibiades S. Oct. 7.

“She's a nice filly,” Wilkes said. “She brings her game every time and runs her race. She's been knocking on the door to win some of these races, so hopefully she can get it done in there. She's in good shape and right there to do it.”

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