Poltergeist Looks to Upset in Southwest
President’s Day at Oaklawn comes on Monday and fans will have much to celebrate as the three-year-old series here kicks off with the $250,000 Southwest. A field of 11 get things started on the road to the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby led by undefeated star Old Fashioned, conditioned by Larry Jones.
Trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel (pictured) will be sending out Poltergeist, who on opening weekend at Oaklawn won an allowance race in impressive manner. Von Hemel has had plenty of talented three-year-olds that have raced here at Oaklawn, including Euphony, Going Ballistic, Brownie Points, and Bedanken just to name a few, and now could add Poltergeist to that list.
“We know he has the potential to be a good horse. That’s why we are trying him in the Southwest,” Von Hemel mentioned. “Old Fashioned is a nice horse, and running against him, we will see how he (Poltergeist) does.”
“It is fun for the owners especially. In his first stakes try he had a rough trip, but in his last here at Oaklawn he showed that he deserved a shot at the Southwest,” Von Hemel commented. “It is a good race with a lot of talented horses; we will see how we fit.”
Jockey Quincy Hamilton will ride the son of Tapit for his 2009 stakes debut. Hamilton has shown a liking for Poltergeist after his opening day triumph. “This horse showed a lot of ability in his last race, and I’m looking forward to the Southwest. He is a talented horse that has a good future,” smiled Hamilton.
The much talked about Southwest features a stellar cast of promising three-year-old colts, each one looking to take another step closer to the Triple Crown. From the inside out, the field with jockey: Retap, Luis Quinonez; Loch Dubh, Jon Court; Silver City, Miguel Mena; Gresham, Calvin Borel; Old Fashioned, Ramon Dominguez; Buzzin and Dreamin, Israel Ocampo; Flat Out, Juan Garcia; Professor Z, Chris Emigh; Poltergeist, Hamilton; Silver Bayer. Terry Thompson; Kick On, Ken Tohill.
Post time will be 5:02 p.m.
Hamzing Destiny Moves
Outstanding maiden winner Hamazing Destiny (pictured) has moved to a new barn on the backside of Oaklawn. As of yesterday, the son of Salt Lake has been sold and transferred to Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Details of the sale are still premature, but Lukas can add another talented three-year-old to his barn.
Trainer McLean Robertson, who had been training the horse, confirmed the sale this afternoon. “They offered us a deal we couldn’t refuse. Anytime you lose a horse like that it hurts a little, but we had fun when we had him, and look forward to seeing what he does on down the road.”
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas took over training of the talented Hamazing Destiny for West Rock Stable, and Barry and Joni Butzow, who are the original owners of the colt. “We bought the colt yesterday, I have no immediate plans for the colt, but they will come,” commented Lukas.
Fans will remember that Hamazing Destiny broke his maiden by an outstanding 10 ½ lengths on Saturday, February 7th going six furlongs in 1:10.44.
A Little Bit More
Trainer Gary Hartlage and jockey Joe Johnson got an early Valentine’s Day present today. The Arkansas Racing Commission overturned the Stewards decision involving Hartlage’s Pretty Simple on the February 5th race card. The filly was disqualified from first to second for causing interference.
Horse for course Semaphore Man (pictured) worked this morning in preparation for his next start. Going four panels in 47:00, the Kelly Von Hemel trainee easily took the morning bullet for the distance.
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