Mrs Cindy Walkin Walks to Victory
Trainer Don Von Hemel has had his fair share of winners, and in yesterday’s feature, an allowance race for fillies at six furlongs, Mrs Cindy’s Walkin posted her second consecutive triumph under jockey Tanner Riggs (pictured).
The three-year-old Cactus Ridge filly has had most of her success with Riggs, riding his first meet at Oaklawn. The filly improved her record to four wins from seven starts, each victory coming under jockey Riggs. The young rider got his start riding races at Canterbury Park, and has since made his way over to the Chicago circuit of Arlington Park and Hawthorne.
“I knew it was a tough jockey colony when I came. I figured I’d do my best and hope to catch a break, or two. Things are working out well,” remarked the South Dakota native Riggs. “I like Hot Springs, and really enjoy Oaklawn.”
Riggs terms the filly as “something special. I had one filly in Minnesota, who I really liked, but this one is better,” smiled Riggs. “Mrs Cindy’s Walkin was really aggressive when I started getting on her. Now she has relaxed and does everything easily. On the turn, when she makes her move, she even does that easily. Me and the filly understand one another. We have a good relationship.”
“The Von Hemels have really been good to me. I am so appreciative for them giving me a chance,”noted Riggs, “Like in yesterday’s race, they said that I knew the filly well and to use my own judgment, to ride her like I own her.”
Trainer Don Von Hemel left options open for the talented Mrs Cindy’s Walkin. “You won’t see her in the Honeybee, but possibly the Prima Donna.” The Prima Donna runs Sunday, March 22nd at six furlongs.
Sunday Opener
The opening race Sunday at Oaklawn highlights a field of six three-year-olds in an allowance optional claiming event. A few of Oaklawn’s current top trainers, D. Wayne Lukas, Chris Richard and Steve Hobby, send out runners in the six furlong event.
Ninth Client, the likely favorite, exits a sixth place finish in the Smarty Jones Stakes on opening weekend here. Conditioner D. Wayne Lukas (pictured), who sits in a three-way tie for leading trainer, sends out the son of Malibu Moon. Ninth Client bids to regain his old form after facing much tougher company in the Smarty Jones and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
Steve Asmussen, the 2008 leading trainer at Oaklawn, will send out Merkel. The chestnut son of Forest Wildcat departs his last start at Oaklawn with a sixth place finish. Merkel will be making his third start since a lay-off, and showed promise as a young horse breaking his maiden in his first career start. Jockey Luis Quinonez, who rides first call for Asmussen, will be in the saddle.
Trainer Chris Richard will send out Valid Rule for notable owner Maggi Moss. The Peace Rules gelding will be making his second start off the claim for Richard, who like Lukas sits in a three-way tie for leading trainer. Valid Rule has been facing softer company, but has shown he can compete at this level as he ran third in an allowance optional claimer in his last outing. Jockey Eddie Razo, Jr. will once again pilot Valid Rule on Sunday.
The rest of the field, listed with trainer and jockey: Barracuda Bay, Larry Jones, Eddie Martin, Jr.; Win Willy, Mac Robertson, Israel Ocampo; and Katolak Cowboy, Steve Hobby, Calvin Borel.
Post time for Sunday’s card will be 1:30 p.m. central standard time.
A Little Bit More
Trainer Randy Morse confirmed plans for his barn star Jonesboro (pictured) this morning. Intentions are for the seven-year-old horse to make his next start in the Grade III Razorback Handicap on Saturday, March 7th. “I haven’t done a lot with him, but we are going to the Razorback. He’ll be ready,” mentioned the conditioner.
The Handicappers’ Hour returns to its usual spot on Saturday at 9:07 to 10:00 a.m. central standard time. Track announcer Terry Wallace and radio personality Tom Nichols host the weekly call-in show. Special guest will be jockey Luis Quinonez. Fans can listen to the Handicappers’ Hour on KVRE 92.9 FM or log onto www.oaklawn.com.
Fans are also reminded that Oaklawn’s Roxanne Tanner hosts a race day handicapping seminar at Crosswalk Bar. Crosswalk’s can be found right across the street from Oaklawn’s main entrance on Central Avenue. Special guest on Saturday will be jockey Chris Emigh. Saturday’s seminar starts at 11:15 a.m. central standard time.
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