(Bluegrass Parkway / Photos by Coady Photography)

From the Ellis Park Media Team / Jennie Rees:

Trainer Quotes:

Mike Maker — Bluegrass Parkway (1st):

“It’s a horse we felt would appreciate the added distance the first time we ran him (in January at Gulfstream Park after being sent to him). Second time we had a little bit of issue after the race, but (owner) Mike Ryan was very patient. Last out (fourth in an Ellis Park allowance in his first start four months), he needed the race. And he showed up today.”

Horse is headed to $1 million Calumet Turf Cup on Sept. 11 at Kentucky Downs, for which he has a fees-paid spot. A race, Maker has won four times in the last six years. Horse’s first stakes win in first stakes attempt.

Question: Did you go in with confidence to this race?

“A little bit. He’s pace dependent and they were going off quick. The horse seemed to be doing better than any time we’ve had him, so we thought we’d take a chance.”

Question: Part of that pace was favored Tide of the Sea, trained by Maker?

“Yes he was…Honestly, I thought Tide of the Sea would have an easier time getting the lead. But Henley’s Joy haunted me.”

(Note: Maker used to train Henley’s Joy, including when he won his debut at Ellis Park and then won the Grade 1 Belmont Derby in 2019)

Question: Key to Bluegrass Parkway?

“He’s a five-year-old with only two wins before and lightly raced) “Just very patient owner. We kind of had an issue with him at Gulfstream, couldn’t really figure out what it was. He gave us plenty of time to get over it, and he rewarded him.”

Jockey’s Quotes:

Julien Leparoux — Bluegrass Parkway (1st):

“It’s been a good weekend. It was fun at Saratoga yesterday, but I’m glad to be back here and able to win another stakes race today.”

Question: Talk about the trip?

“It was great. We had a nice pace, very smooth for me. I was able to relax and I waited as much as I could to make his one run and he finished very strong. When you come from behind and you see them coming back to you and you’re able to just wait a little more. By the quarter pole, I got him out he finished up well. This was a nice group. The other Mike Maker was a nice horse too. The race was set up perfect for me today and I’m glad to get the win. Hopefully, we can ride him back.”