International Star ending 22-month layoff at Gulfstream Park

When International Star enters the gate Thursday at Gulfstream Park, 679 days will have passed since the horse’s last race. A layoff of more than 22 months, however, hasn’t seemed to dull trainer Mike Maker’s expectations.

“Fitness won’t be any issue,” Maker said. “He’s had plenty of miles before I got him. We’re trying to find the best spot for him coming back.”

A son of Fusaichi Pegasus, International Star drew the No. 8 post position for Race 9, the 1 1/16-mile turf feature at Gulfstream. He’s a 9-2 third choice on the morning line.

Jockey Jose Ortiz has the mount in the Ken and Sarah Ramsey runner’s first race since the Alysheba (G2) on Kentucky Derby day in 2017.

“He had a minor injury,” Maker said. “We got him back last summer, and he got pretty thick on us. He required more time.”

International Star shows a series of works at the Mercury Equine Center in Lexington, Ky., before returning to Maker’s care.

An earner of more than $1.2 million, the 7-year-old swept Fair Grounds’ 2015 preps — the Lecomte (G3), Risen Star (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2) — but scratched the morning of the Kentucky Derby when a state vet found him off on his left-front.

Since then, the horse has run exclusively at the stakes level, winning one of nine starts, but with finishes on the board in all but three of those races.

Thursday’s race also marks International Star’s return to turf for the first time since his 2-year-old season. Post time is 5:17 p.m. ET for a race connections hope lead back to stakes company.

“We’ll nominate him to all the older horse races,” Maker said, “and take our best shot.”