McPeek is More Than Willing for Rebel
Oaklawn will be kicking off the three-year-old series with the Southwest in less than a month. Horses such as Flat Out, Silver City, Square Eddie, and Old Fashioned look to line up in the starting gate for the one mile race, and if all goes well could set themselves up for the Rebel Stakes on March 14.
Trainer Kenny McPeek has no shortage of talented three-year-olds in his barn this year. The most recent one to show promise, More Than Willing, comes off a maiden score down at Gulfstream Park and appears to be making his next start in the Rebel Stakes. Breaking his maiden in a one mile and an eighth event, distance should be no problem for the son of More Than Ready.
“Right now it looks like we will point More Than Willing to the Rebel. He trained like a good horse, and he should have broken his maiden in his first two starts, but I kept him sprinting and he does his best running long,” McPeek said by phone. “As long as we can make travel arrangements by plane, then we will be coming to Oaklawn. I will keep him at Gulfstream and train him there.”
“He’s already back on track and doing real well. Kent Desormeaux has ridden this horse in all his starts and hopefully he will ride him in the Rebel,” commented McPeek. No stranger to Oaklawn, McPeek in 2003 brought Take Charge Lady to run in the Apple Blossom, but got caught at the wire by Azeri (pictured).
The Rebel is the second leg of the premier three-year-old races at Oaklawn. Things are shaping up pretty nicely for the three-old-series at Oaklawn.
Quincy Hamilton Nears 1,000 Wins
Currently, in Oaklawn’s jock’s room there are two riders awaiting career milestones. Oaklawn veteran Tim Doocy has to accomplish 24 wins to reach the 5,000 win plateau and jockey Quincy Hamilton (pictured) will reach 1,000 wins with just five more wins.
“Someone told me that when approaching a milestone in racing, the closer you get, the more difficult it becomes. I have decided to live each day for what it is,” Hamilton reflected. “Giving something like this a lot of thought, you might put unwanted pressure on yourself.”
Back in 2007, Hamilton made a brief appearance at Oaklawn and went back home to Texas to ride. Now here for 2009, Hamilton is off to a hot start winning six races from 25 starters, and currently sits in a tie for second place for leading rider. “My dad is a quarter horse jockey. In high school, I was interested in sports,” mentioned Hamilton. “I didn’t decide to become a rider until I graduated from high school.”
“I want to think forward. I intend to think well beyond 1,000 wins. I am only 25, and I like to feel I am reaching this milestone at an early age,” grinned Hamilton. “Milestones are very important to riders. Jockeys should reach for them. Milestones are like goals, and everyone should have goals.”
Hamilton has two chances on Saturday and Sunday to add to his win total. “I am really looking forward to the 1000th win," Hamilton commented. “I am anxious for that big moment. At the same time, I am anxious to start on the next one (milestone).”
A Little Bit More
Fans are reminded that the Oaklawn Handicappers’ Hour returns on Saturday from 9:07 to 10:00 a.m. The interactive show features track announcer Terry Wallace and radio personality Tom Nichols. Fans are encouraged to call in their favorite long-shot play of the day. The Oaklawn Handicappers’ Hour this Saturday will feature America’s top female owner Maggi Moss (pictured). Fans can tune into the show by logging on to www.oaklawn.com or listening to the Resort Racing Network.
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