Only days after registering his first stakes winner at Kentucky Downs, OLYMPIAD saw his debuting son Merlin Monroan win a Maiden Special Weight at the track.
Starting his career in the seven-furlong race, Merlin Monroan had no desire to go with the front runners and settled as the back marker multiple lengths behind the second to last runner. Finally getting comfortable around the turn, Merlin Monroan caught the eye in the stretch.
He started picking off horses as they straightened with the race caller noticing him flying up the outside in the final furlong. Merlin Monroan took nearly the whole run to get to the front, but when he did, he did so full of steam to win by a length after sitting 10 lengths behind early.
Make that 9️⃣8️⃣ career victories at Kentucky Downs for trainer Mike Maker!
Merlin Monroan, a half brother to MGSW Somelikeithotbrown, for the win in the fourth race under Flavien Prat. The colt is sired by @Gainesway stallion Olympiad. #KyDowns pic.twitter.com/qEpPj1t7b3
— Kentucky Downs (@KYDownsRacing) September 9, 2026
The Mike Maker trainee was bred by Hot Pink Stables and races for Skychai Racing. He is out of TAPIT’s successful broodmare daughter Marilyn Monroan, who has produced three stakes winners from seven to race. That group is led by the multiple Grade 2 winner Somelikeithotbrown with Lorelei Lee and Jolting Joe joining him as stakes winners.
Marilyn Monroan is out of a half-sister to champion Stevie Wonderboy and Group 3 winner Theyskens’ Theory.
Marilyn Monroan had a filly from SEIZE THE GREY’s first crop this year.
This is the third winner in six days for OLYMPIAD, who now has 10 winners from his first runners.