Prom Shoes has Family History
Patricia Blass has been an Oaklawn staple for the last 40 years and on Saturday will send out homebred Prom Shoes in the $100,000 Essex Handicap. Prom Shoes comes from a family rich in Oaklawn racing history, and is no stranger to the winner’s circle here. The famous pink and green polka-dot silks of the Blass family have become familiar to even the most casual of Oaklawn fans.
Prom Shoes (pictured ) is out of the mare Pink Shoes, who in 1995 took the Martha Washington Stakes, and has produced some of the Blass’ most memorable runners. Some fans will recall speedster Wildcat Shoes, and Isabell’s Shoes, who in 2005 like her mother, took the Martha Washington.
“We won the Martha Washington in 1988 with Fun Flight, who produced Pink Shoes, who won the same race in 1995, and then her daughter Isabell’s Shoes won the race in 2005,” recalled owner Buddy Blass. “That was one of my most memorable moments here at Oaklawn. We are really proud of that family.
“We have been coming to Oaklawn for the past 62 years, and it means a lot for us to win a race here, especially with a home bred,” commented Blass. “You have 20 heartaches for every one winner. Prom Shoes winning last year in the Fifth Season meant a lot to us, and he really seems like he has been training good coming into this race.”
Trainer William “Jinks” Fires, who conditions both Prom Shoes and Bob Yagos’ Spotsgone, agrees. “Prom Shoes has been training better than ever of late. Spotsgone has too, if we could get a dead-heat that would be great,” laughed Fires, “The owners are friends and regularly wish each other the best. We are hoping for good races out of both horses.”
Fans might wonder how the son of Include got his name, and the Blass’ contribute Prom Shoes to their grand-son Alex. “The night before his prom he realized he didn’t have any shoes,” laughed Mrs. Blass. “I thought Prom Shoes would be a good name and that is how the colt was named.”
Prom Shoes will break from the starting gate in the four hole under Chris Emigh, and will go for win six on Saturday.
Oaklawn Legend Gets Walk of Fame Honor
Don Grisham (pictured ), year in and year out, comes to Oaklawn with a smile on his face and a story to tell. There is not one person Mr. Grisham passes without getting a “Hello, Hello” or one of his quick witted waves. He has stories that are legendary and feature legendary people in the Sport of Kings.
It was announced on Tuesday that the former Daily Racing Form columnist and Oaklawn Media Relations staff member will be inducted onto the Arkansas Walk of Fame on April 6th inHot Springs, Arkansas. Grisham will join the likes of trainer Bob Holthus, former jockey Larry Snyder, and Pat Day.
“This means so much to me, and I really appreciate all the people who helped me get inducted,” smiled Grisham. “I am thankful to work in the best sport in the world, and I feel great to have gotten to meet so many outstanding people.”
In order to make the Arkansas Walk of Fame, a person must have lived or be born in the state of Arkansas, made a contribution to their respected field, and have had been recognized on a national level.
A Little Bit More
Fans can now add Poltergeist to the list of possible starters for the $250,000 Southwest, confirmed trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel. The grey son of Tapit won a one mile allowance event on January 17th in an impressive manner under jockey Quincy Hamilton (pictured).
Yesterday’s race card made a busy day for the track stewards here at Oaklawn. It started in race 5 where Slikin was declared a non-starter for an unfair start. It was in the fourth race where Cat’s Purrfection, under jockey Jose Riquleme, was disqualified from first to third for interference down the lane. The inquiry sign flashed again in the sixth race where winner Pretty Simple was disqualified to second for causing interference. Then finally in the seventh race Simply the Fox, who finished third, was disqualified for causing interference and placed sixth.
Fans are reminded that the popular Oaklawn Handicappers’ Hour returns on Saturday at 9:07 to 10:00 a.m. The interactive radio show features track announcer Terry Wallace and radio host Tom Nichols. Fans can log onto www.oaklawn.com or listen on the radio 92.9 FM KVRE. This week’s featured guest will be fan favorite Jockey Luis Quinonez.
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