Ain’t He a Pistol Fires in Allowance
There are always good and heartfelt stories when it comes to the race track. On Thursday in the tenth race an Arkansas bred gelding by the name of Ain’t He a Pistol stole the show and has since stole plenty of hearts.
Trained by veteran trainer W.T. “Tom” Howard, the seven-year-old son of Country Store proved he can earn his keep. In March, 2006 at Oaklawn Ain’t He a Pistol was claimed for $5,000 by Lewis Mathews, Jr. Since then, the horse has shown he was worth the $5,000 claiming tag and then some. Ain’t He a Pistol has recorded 14 wins from 35 starts and earnings of $187,410.
“He’s an ornery old horse, but he has shown that he is competitive and can run with the best of them,” commented the conditioner. “He really is tough, and we have an owner that has no doubts and lets us run him where he belongs.”
“Owner Frank Fletcher introduced Mr. Mathews to us. He’s a great owner to have. He lets us pick the spot for his horses, take our time with them, and that makes a difference,” Howard commented. “In the past two years this horse hasn’t finished out of the money. He tells us when he needs a break, and we have had good luck with him so far.”
Early plans for Ain’t He a Pistol are to point him to the new Arkansas bred Nodouble Breeders Stakes. The Nodouble was added to the Oaklawn stakes program to create a race for older Arkansas bred horses. The inaugural running will be Sunday, March 29, with a purse of $50,000 going six furlongs.
Rachel Alexandra Leans to Fair Grounds Oaks
After Rachel Alexandra’s (pictured) dominating win in last weeks Martha Washington Stakes fans are wondering what will be next for one of the top three-year-old fillies in the country. It appears the talented filly will make her next start in the March 14th Fair Grounds Oaks in New Orleans.
Rachel Alexandra confirmed her ability to run in the Martha Washington by setting a new stakes record and running a tick faster than Old Fashion did in the Southwest. The filly earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 99. Fans are wondering now if there may be a chance for the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro to run against the boys, but trainer Wiggins plans to take it one race at a time.
“Right now we are leaning toward going to Fair Grounds for the Fair Grounds Oaks. I’ll talk to the owners to make sure it is definite, but it appears right now we are going to New Orleans,” Wiggins confirmed this morning. “She came out of her last race good. My phone didn’t stop ringing on Monday (the day after winning the Martha Washington).
With early plans for Rachel Alexandra to go to New Orleans, the door will be open for some new shooters in the Grade III Honeybee on Sunday, March 15.
A Little Bit More
Trainer Tim Ritchey (pictured) had another talented three-year-old make an appearance in the winners circle in today’s opener. Everyday Heroes, making his first career start, won in gate to wire fashion as the second choice in the Maiden race. Ritchey said he will keep the Awesome Again colt’s options open. Interestingly, the half-sister to Everyday Heroes, Sentebale, runs in the Spring Fever Stakes.
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