Oaklawn

Saturday Insights: Antiquarian Makes Seasonal Debut at Gulfstream

10th-GP, $57K, Alw/Opt. Clm., 3yo/up, 7f, 5:54 p.m. ET Last seen finishing a midpack fifth behind Dornoch (Good Magic) in last year's GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, Centennial Farms' ANTIQUARIAN (Preservationist) resumes over a sprint trip Saturday at Gulfstream. The $250,000 KEESEP yearling, a maiden winner at second asking at the Fair Grounds, was an even sixth in the GII Louisiana Derby before striking in the GIII Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct. Edgard Zayas has the call for this seasonal jumping-off point. TJCIS PPs 4th-AQU, $80K, Msw, 3yo/up, 1m, 2:46...

[ Read More ]
Forecasted Severe Weather KO's Saturday Racing At Oaklawn

Due to forecasted severe weather in the Hot Springs area, Oaklawn has canceled live racing and training for Saturday, April 5. Racing is expected to resume as scheduled with Saturday's card moved to Sunday, April 6. They are the second track to be affected by Mother Nature's wrath this weekend as Keeneland was also forced to postpone its Friday and Saturday cards due to weather. In a statement, the track said: "Due to the severe weather forecasted, we will cancel live racing for Saturday, April 5. Saturday's race card will...

[ Read More ]
In a Dog Fight, 'Rising Star' Quietside Outfinishes Simply Joking in Fantasy

All the hype about Oaklawn's GII Fantasy Stakes Saturday being a two-horse race was on the nose. 'TDN Rising Star' Quietside (f, 3, Malibu Moon--Benner Island, by Speightstown), so talented but so often a bridesmaid before winning the GIII Honeybee Stakes last out, faced unbeaten Simply Joking (Practical Joke), light on experience but winner of two black-type events at Fair Grounds. It was Quietside, the Shortleaf Stable homebred, who got the measure of Simply Joking Saturday and picked up 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. The Fantasy...

[ Read More ]
Gulfstream And Oaklawn Split The Spotlight On Stakes-Laden Saturday

Gulfstream Park's GI Curlin Florida Derby tips off one hour ahead of Oaklawn's GI Arkansas Derby on Saturday and, with 100 points on the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' on offer in each spot, both races offer what amounts to a 'win and you're in' spot in the gate on the first Saturday in May. Between them, the two tracks host eight of the day's 10 graded stakes. Godolphin homebred Sovereignty (Into Mischief), one of two runners in the Florida Derby along with Madaket Road (Quality Road) facing a jockey...

[ Read More ]
Why We Are Where We Are, Part I: How We Got Here

My first trip to a Thoroughbred racetrack came in the summer of 1961 at Ellis Park. At the time, I was 16, closing in on 17, and Kelso was four, closing in on the second of five consecutive Horse of the Year titles. Kelso never raced anywhere near Ellis, but his enduring class was such that he ranked among the sporting world's most recognizable heroes of the day. The New York Yankees' pinstriped pair of Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, in their pursuit of Babe Ruth's single-season home run record,...

[ Read More ]
'Run For The Roses' Points Go To American Promise In Virginia Derby

Added to the Kentucky Derby Trail for the first time, the Virginia Derby entered a new era over the dirt at Colonial Downs on Saturday and it was American Promise (Justify--Tapella, by Tapit) who deposited 50 points into his 'Run for the Roses' account. It took him six starts to graduate from the maiden ranks, but a patient progression has never dissuaded D. Wayne Lukas before, and once the chestnut got his first win, he was tasked with stepping up into graded company. Crossing the line in sixth, but disqualified...

[ Read More ]
GSW Speed King Pointed to Arkansas Derby

Ted Bowman of Hot Springs' Speed King (Volatile) is being pointed to the GI Arkansas Derby at 1 1/8 miles Mar 29, trainer Ron Moquett of Hot Springs said Sunday morning. The grey will be looking to rebound from a 10th-place finish in the GII Rebel Stakes at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 23. Speed King, who broke from post 10, was beaten 15 lengths by Coal Battle after chasing a hot pace. "I think there were a lot of variables in it," Moquett said. "My main thing is the horse...

[ Read More ]
American Pharoah's Clever Again Graduates at Oaklawn

1st-Oaklawn, $110,000, Msw, 2-23, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.48, ft, 3 1/4 lengths. CLEVER AGAIN (c, 3, American Pharoah--Flattering {Ire} {GSW-Ire, SP-Eng}, by Galileo {Ire}) finished runner up in his debut going 4 1/2 panels at Keeneland last April and was benched for the remainder of the season. Marking his return while stretched past a mile for the first time, the 2-1 favorite took control from the onset, led at every call and was 3 1/4-lengths clear of Shepherd (Laoban) at the wire. A full-sister to English and Irish champion Love...

[ Read More ]
Weather-Delayed Rebel Promises Southwest Rematch

In racing as in life, good things come to those who wait. And while we have had to endure an extra 24 hours for Sunday's rescheduled GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, the wait may just prove worth it as a full, competitive field of 3-year-olds line up with 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby on the line. The top three runners from the GIII Southwest Stakes face each other once again Sunday with Speed King (Volatile) taking top billing back on Jan. 25 over a hard-closing...

[ Read More ]
Oaklawn Postpones Thursday's Card to Monday

Oaklawn Park has postponed Thursday, Jan. 30's card, rescheduling it to Monday, Feb. 3. Severe weather, including possible flash flooding, is forecasted for the area for Thursday. The Jan. 30 race date was originally added to make up for other race dates lost to winter weather. Weather has repeatedly played havoc on Oaklawn's calendar this season. Live racing is expected to resume Friday, Jan. 31.

[ Read More ]
Monday's Holiday Card at Oaklawn Postponed in Advance

Weather woes continue to plague Oaklawn Park, which is cancelling the Monday, Jan. 20 card in advance due to the forecast of freezing temperatures, according to an update from officials at the Hot Springs track. The race card originally slated for Jan. 20--Martin Luther King, Jr. Day--has been rescheduled to Thursday, Jan. 23. A four-day racing weekend is anticipated at Oaklawn with the addition of Jan. 23, highlighted by the $1-million GIII Southwest Stakes for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 25. Racing at Oaklawn was cancelled for most...

[ Read More ]
Oaklawn to Add Jan. 30 to Race Schedule

Oaklawn Park, like much of the country impacted by recent winter weather, will add Thursday, Jan. 30 to the current racing calendar in an effort to recoup lost days of live racing. In a release from the track, officials at Oaklawn said the added day was in collaboration with the HBPA and additional days may be added later in the meet. Racing at Oaklawn was cancelled for most of Dec. 28 and for the entire weekend of Jan. 10-12  due to weather. Live racing in Hot Springs is slated to...

[ Read More ]
X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.