Merlin Monroan stayed perfect for OLYMPIAD on Saturday when the colt won a Keeneland Allowance to stay undefeated.
The Mike Maker trainee was making his second start in the 1 1/16-mile turf race and had to check just a bit going into the first turn soon after the break. The colt was keen under Tyler Gaffalione, but settled down the backstretch when racing in fourth just a few lengths off the leader.
Creeping closer around the far turn, he still had plenty of work to do in the stretch but once he switched to the outside was ready to go. It took nearly the whole stretch, but he showed off big strides to catch the leader a few strides before the wire and win by a head as the race favorite.
#6 MERLIN MONROAN, a juvenile son of @Gainesway Olympiad, won Race 3 at @keenelandracing under @Tyler_Gaff for trainer @trainerMMaker. pic.twitter.com/8Vwr9BAATM
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 10, 2026
Raced by Skychai Racing and Sand Dollar Stable, the Hot Pink Stables-bred juvenile is a half-brother to his owners’ multiple Grade 2 winner Somelikeithotbrown and stakes winners Lorelei Lee and Jolting Joe. The colt is one of four winners from seven runners out of TAPIT’s Marilyn Monroan.
Merlin Monroan’s granddam is a half-sister to champion Stevie Wonderboy and Grade 3 winner Theysken’s Theory as one of 12 winners out of Heat Lightning. This is also the family of champion Big Blue Kitten as well.
Marilyn Monroan had a filly from SEIZE THE GREY’s first crop this year.
This is the third winner in four days for OLYMPIAD, who registered his 12 and 13th winners overall this week.