Wise Dan took his first step toward a possible third straight Horse of the Year title with a measured victory in the G1 Maker's 46 Mile on the Keeneland turf on Friday.

Trainer Charlie LoPresti says he may try some different tests this season with Wise Dan as the 7-year-old gelding attempts to match Forego, the last three-time Horse of the Year (1974-76).

For his first start of the year, Morton Fink's homebred chestnut put on a show for his fan at his home track, where he has won a record six stakes.

It was Wise Dan’s first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita Park last November.

He has now won 11 of his past 12 races, including eight Grade I races. His only loss during that span came in the Shadwell Turf Mile last October at Keeneland.

"I was worried about it just because of the winter and how much time we lost," LoPresti said.

"This one is going to put us where we need to be."

Last season Wise Dan ran in the G1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on the Kentucky Derby undercard and is heading that way again.

"If he comes back good, if he's not too tired, that's where we'll go,”LoPresti said.

Wise Dan became the first horse since Kip Deville in 2007-08 to record back-to-back victories in the Maker's 46 Mile, previously known as the Maker's Mark Mile.

Wise Dan stalked the pace from fourth before advancing on the leaders rounding the far turn. He quickly took command in the drive as Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez guided him to victory by three-quarters of a length.

Kaigun, the outsider in the field of six, ran on for second, overtaking G1 winner Lochte with second choice Za Approval fourth.

Velazquez said he did it very well.

"This horse is incredible. They don't come around that often,” he said.

"He's definitely a special horse, and he's proven it the last two, three years."