HOT SPRINGS, Ark–Clever Again (c, 3, American Pharoah–Flattering {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}), coming off a 3 1/4-length maiden score, made the jump to stakes company with aplomb Sunday, going wire-to-wire to win the Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The 6-5 shot set fractions of :23.76 and :46.98 with even-money favorite Gaming (Game Winner) tracking in second. Clever Again opened up on the final turn and sailed clear to an easy four-length victory, completing the mile in 1:37.13. It was jockey Jose Ortiz's fifth win in two days of racing in Hot Springs.
When asked about his recent riding title win at Fair Grounds and his success coming to Oaklawn over the weekend, Ortiz told TDN, “When you get to ride higher caliber horses as you go, you start to figure out tendencies and it makes a major difference in your development. Everyday you learn something in this business and you can never stop looking for opportunities.”
A regular workmate of GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby hero Tiztastic (Tiz the Law), Clever Again missed by just a head when second in his 4 1/2-furlong unveiling at Keeneland in April of 2024. In his first start since that effort, the bay colt went wire-to-wire to graduate over 1 1/16 miles in Hot Springs Feb. 23.
“He's [Clever Again] physically capable for a horse that you would think is a mile and a half grass horse with what you read,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “He has a great amount of confidence in himself, he carries himself with so much class and he's been a barn-favorite since last year. He's put two races together here and that is great to see.”
Speaking of that turf-laden pedigree, Flattering is a full-sister to both English multiple Group 1 stakes heroine Love (Ire) and Irish group stakes victress Peach Tree (Ire). The winner's dam is responsible for a 2-year-old filly by Quality Road who was sent to Ireland in 2023. This dam foaled a colt by Gun Runner last year and was sent back to that same sire for this spring.
HOT SPRINGS S., (NB) $200,000, Oaklawn, 3-30, 3yo, 1m, 1:37.13, ft.
1–CLEVER AGAIN, 119, c, 3, by American Pharoah
1st Dam: Flattering (Ire) (GSW-Ire, SP-Eng),
by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Pikaboo (GB), by Pivotal (GB)
3rd Dam: Gleam of Light (Ire), by Danehill
($500,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $117,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $198,400.
2–Gaming, 121, c, 3, Game Winner–So Stylish, by Johannesburg. ($40,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $250,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O-Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman; B-Mt. Brilliant Farm & Ranch, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $39,000.
3–Perfect Force, 121, c, 3, Gun Runner–Cuaba, by Smoke Glacken. ($550,000 Wlg '22 FTKNOV; $625,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-BC Stables LLC; B-Daniel J. Burke & Kathleen Schweizer (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. $19,500.
Margins: 4, 2 1/4, 10HF. Odds: 1.20, 1.00, 4.90.
Also Ran: Max Got Excited, Hola Joey, Bout Tree Fiddy. Scratched: Gryphon, Landing Craft.
#5 CLEVER AGAIN ($4.40) secures his first stakes victory in the $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes at @OaklawnRacing. The three-year-old American Pharoah (@CoolmoreAmerica) colt was ridden by @jose93_ortiz for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Clever Again is now 2-for-3. pic.twitter.com/hsk3j8hVdi
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 30, 2025
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