As Seen in the Daily Racing Form on August 9th, 2002

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Another Lukas protege takes flight
By MARTY McGEE

D. Wayne Lukas has a long list of former employees who have gone on to successful careers as trainers. Now Becky Maker is bidding to join that group. Maker won the first race of her career when Atticus Finch captured the last race Wednesday at Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky. It was the 18th starter for Maker, who worked for Lukas for four years and for Dallas Stewart, a former Lukas assistant, for another four years.

"That was a long time coming," Maker said Friday from the Trackside training facility in Louisville, where she has 11 horses.

Maker said her ambition is to become like other former Lukas employees such as Stewart, Todd Pletcher, and Mark Hennig, all of whom have thrived on their own.

"When you come up under Wayne's program, you learn how much details make a difference," said the 29-year-old Michigan native who came up under the late George Maker, the father of her ex-husband and Lukas assistant Mike Maker. "Your work ethic is really good, you're able to evaluate everything properly, and you learn great communication skills. Those years with Wayne are definitely ones that I value."

Atticus Finch, owned by Dogwood Stable, won a one-mile maiden-special turf race. Dogwood is one of about six clients that have given horses to Maker, with others being Ted Taylor, John Gunther, and Darrell Brown.

Maker said she hopes her horses are good enough to take to Fair Grounds this winter. Otherwise, she plans to make Kentucky her year-round base.