Old Fashioned Brings New Life
Under a blue and sunny sky Old Fashioned (pictured) made his second trip around the Oaklawn oval a noteworthy one. The son of Unbridled Song made a strong step forward in preparation for the $100,000 Southwest to be run on February 16th working a half mile.
Under jockey Terry Thompson Old Fashioned worked the fastest time at the half mile distance this morning going in 48.2, galloping on out five-eighths in 1:00.2. The undefeated colt will be cutting back in distance for the Southwest, but already has a win going one mile. The muscled grey will likely be the favorite in Oaklawn’s President’s Day feature with the defection of Doug O’Neill’s Square Eddie this morning.
“He liked the track, and we didn’t want another Hard Spun scenario where he didn’t like the track. I’m happy with the work, it was like an open gallop for him,” mentioned Jones this morning, “and he did everything easy. This work puts him ahead of the game.”
“He is out of a Medowlake mare and it seems like every Meadowlake horse we have had, has shown a liking to the Oaklawn surface. Wildcat Bettie B and Maren’s Meadow did really good here at Oaklawn and they are both by Meadowlake,” shared Jones. “Old Fashioned’s last workout at Fair Grounds was like a small race for him, so we wanted an easy work and that’s what he did. He has really come along.”
Plans are for Fox Hill Farm’s Old Fashioned to return to the track on Saturday, and then work either on Tuesday or Wednesday according to Jones. Regular rider Ramon Dominguez will be in from New York to ride Old Fashioned in the Southwest.
Essex Handicap Draws Eight
Saturday’s feature race the $100,000 Essex Handicap will feature older handicap horses that will each be looking to add to their racing resumes. The one mile and sixteenth race has an accomplished field, and looks to kick things up a notch for the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap to be run on Saturday, April 4th.
The equally matched field of older horses come with accomplishments that any owner or trainer would appreciate. Defending champion Spotsgone (pictured) returns to the Essex off a third place finish in an Allowance race opening weekend. The son of Bright Launch has been working forwardly for his 2009 stakes debut and retains the services of jockey Joe Johnson. The William “Jinks” Fires trainee will have to beware of his stable mate Prom Shoes, whose last work on January 31st of 1:01, indicates he could be sitting on go.
Steve Hobby’s Telling enters the Essex Handicap off a third place finish in the River City Handicap at Churchill Downs. The son of A.P. Indy comes off an impressive 2008 at Oaklawn, winning all three starts here. “He’s right where I want to be with him at this stage of the game,” commented Hobby. “He has trained well the last month, and we hope he runs his race Saturday.”
Most notably missing in Saturday’s feature is Jonesboro. Conditioner Randy Morse ruled out the Essex Handicap for the chestnut horse due to feet problems. “His feet are still a little tender, and I want him to be 100% if we run him,” Morse commented. “We will look for a race for him sometime before the Razorback Handicap, which is what we are aiming for now.”
The Essex Handicap goes off as the featured ninth race on the ten race card for Saturday. Post time is scheduled for 5:02 p.m.
A Little Bit More
Look for Jockey Terry Thompson to be elsewhere on Saturday as he will be riding two three-year-olds of note. Thompson will ride favorite Just Jenda in the Silverbulletday, and rides It Happened Again in the Risen Star.
Speaking of jockeys, Jon Court (pictured) will be appearing on the Animal Planet’s reality series “Jockeys”. The first episode will air on Friday starting at 9 p.m. eastern. The show will let fans understand a day in the life of a jockey in Southern California. Fans can look forward to seeing Oaklawn favorite Mike Smith as well.
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