Tipsheet: 2026 Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes

An overflow and powerful field of 13 turf standouts has been entered for Friday’s $650,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) at Keeneland. The eight-furlong turf test attracted a sensational group of grass specialists in what promises to be a thrilling event. 

Maker’s Mark Mile Picks

• #4 Notable Speech
• #1 Rhetorical
• #5 Aomori City
• #10 Deterministic

Maker’s Mark Mile Wagers

• $5 exacta key box 4 with 1,5,10
• 50-cent superfecta 4 with 1,5,10 with 1,5,10 with all

Maker’s Mark Mile Contenders

#1 RHETORICAL (7-2): Walden trainee captured the Turf Mile (G1) on the course in the fall prior to finishing a strong fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) to conclude his 2025 campaign. The Not This Time five-year-old has been working well in advance of his seasonal bow and will always be in range while saving ground under Irad. 

#2 ONE STRIPE (8-1): Multiple Group-1 winning South African has acclimated to U. S. racing and was last seen missing by a neck in the Pegasus Turf (G1) in his largest appearance. One of two in the field for Graham Motion, the five-year-old son of One World, comes in fresh for his local debut and will be rallying in the lane beneath Johnnie V. 

#3 TROUBLESHOOTING (30-1): Greg Foley trainee reached new heights last season when bagging the Franklin-Simpson (G1) at Kentucky Downs in the summer and will make his four-year-old bow in this demanding spot. The Not This Time four-year-old is two-for-two at this locale and will have Tyler Gaffalione in the stirrups. 

#4 NOTABLE SPEECH (9-5): Class of the cast was a convincing star of the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) for Charlie Appleby and gets the nod in this fantastic tilt. The chestnut son of Dubawi has a potent turn of foot on his best day and will be seen stalking the tempo early before unleashing his closing burst late. Regular rider William Buick comes in to ride. 

#5 AOMORI CITY (20-1): Group 2 victor was not especially sharp in two efforts in the desert in the winter, but he has class to him and will benefit from having a pair of relatively recent runs in advance of Saturday. The Appleby pupil was a big third in his lone run in the states leading up to this contest and will have Richard Mullen in the silks. 

#6 ZULU KINGDOM (12-1): Second from the Motion shedrow is a Grade 1 victor who will be making his first showing since August. The four-year-old has been a high-level performer in both of his seasons of racing, and this outfit is especially good off the layoff, as well. The dangerous longshot will be guided home by Flavien Prat. 

#7 TENACIOUS LEADER (30-1): Pletcher trainee has never endured success at the top level and is ambitiously placed in this one. The dark bay colt has a win and a second from two previous tries at Keeneland but will need a career-best performance to make the frame against this crew under Saez. 

#8 BEAR RIVER (30-1): Grade-2 winning turf sprinter will stretch out in his second engagement at the young meeting and would be a shocker in his return off the six-day layoff. 

#9 WOLFIE’S DYNAGHOST (8-1): Fleet son of Ghostzapper is showing no signs of aging at eight and could be the one to catch in the early portion of the event. The Brian Lynch trainee could prove to be stubborn late if he dictates things from the start, with Jose Ortiz taking the reins. 

#10 DETERMINISTIC (5-1): Dual Grade 1 star has never run a bad one since moving to the grass and has reportedly been training in superb fashion in advance of his 2026 unveiling. The Liam’s Map five-year-old draws outside of the other pace in the cast and is expected to receive a great trip throughout under the guidance of Kendrick Carmouche. 

#11 TIZ DASHING (20-1): Tiz the Law colt ran off to a fine score in the Canadian Turf (G3) in his most recent outing and is one to consider if he repeats his last run. The four-year-old colt has good tactical speed as well as a good turn of foot, and the Sackatoga color bearer will have regular pilot Castellano in the irons once again. 

#12 BRILLIANT BERTIE (20-1): Talented sort from the barn of Cherie DeVaux draws outside in the deep field rallied for a smart third in the Turf Mile (G1) on the course in October two back. The exotics contender will make one run from well back beneath Brian Hernandez, Jr. 

#13 PITKIN (30-1): Ian Wilkes charge is two-for-two since moving to the green, but the Nyquist colt will take a massive class rise against this cast and would be a major surprise if he draws into the field.