Oaklawn’s Stars Work
Under an ominous sky two of Oaklawn’s top runners took their turns around the Oaklawn oval for their final moves involving upcoming stakes’ engagements. Rachel Alexandra (pictured) was the first to hit the fast dirt surface for her final breeze before her trip to New Orleans for the Fair Grounds Oaks this Saturday.
Rachel Alexandra had just stepped onto the track with regular rider Calvin Borel when excitement began to stir. One of trainer Allen Milligan’s exercise riders was thrown from his mount, which led to a ten minute delay before the track reopened. Rachel Alexandra waited things out in the paddock with trainer Hal Wiggin’s son Lon. After the track reopened it was all business for one of the leading prospects for the Kentucky Oaks.
Setting out for her half-mile breeze she clocked off the first quarter in 25.3, three-eighths in 37.2, and her final time was 49.1.She galloped out an easy five-eighths in 1:01.2. Wiggins was pleased with his barn star’s work before her next start. “We wanted a nice easy work with her, and that’s what we got,” the trainer explained. “We wanted her to go about 48 or 49 for the half-mile and Calvin did just that. It was a nice workout, and she is cooling out well. We will leave Wednesday with her for New Orleans.”
An hour later leading Kentucky Derby contender Old Fashioned (pictured) made his appearance known on the track. After the training break, the son of Unbridled’s Song with jockey Terry Thompson aboard and trainer Larry Jones on barn pony Rascal, made their ways onto the track. After warming up, Old Fashioned broke at the five-eighths pole and never looked back. During the work Old Fashioned encountered some unexpected traffic, but bullet worked none the less.
The first quarter was timed in an easy 23.20, the three-eighths in 35.60, 47.20 for the half-mile, and finally stopping the clock in 59 flat. Thompson galloped him out six furlongs in 1:12. “He did well, we had some unexpected company along the way, but Terry did good handling that, and Old Fashioned worked well. It was easy for him, he trains so easily, he is his own horse,” commented Jones. “He doesn’t have to train real hard, and he just does everything easy.”
Jones has a hefty weekend in store for himself as he has not only Old Fashioned in the Rebel on Saturday, but at his base at Fair Grounds, he has his contingency preparing for their upcoming races there.
Thursday Feature Race Full of All-Stars
The feature allowance race Thursday follows Sunday’s Azeri with another group of impressive older fillies and mares. Champion three-year-old filly of 2008 Proud Spell will make her first start of the year in the optional claiming event, along with top Louisiana bred Superior Storm.
Proud Spell gave trainer Larry Jones (pictured) one of the biggest wins of his training career in the Kentucky Oaks, and later took the Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park, and the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. Never finishing worse than third in 12 career starts, the Proud Citizen filly will be looking to get 2009 kick started on Thursday, with Gabriel Saez in from Fair Grounds to ride. Jones has made no secrets about the talented filly making her first stakes appearance in the Apple Blossom on April 6th.
Top Louisiana bred filly Superior Storm will try her luck in open company for the second time in her career. The Rick Jackson trainee has the distinct honor of winning over every major race track in Louisiana. The four-year-old filly by Stormy Atlantic looks to expand her career resume by winning in open company. Luis Quinonez has the mount for Thursday’s race.
Veteran trainer Bob Holthus will send out Pippin runner-up Day of Victory in Thursday’s feature as well. The Victory Gallop filly just missed in her last effort on February 14th in the Pippin Stakes. Already a winner at the current meeting, Day of Victory looks to add to her career record of three wins from 15 starts. Calvin Borel will be behind the reins for Thursday.
The rest of field, listed with trainer and jockey, includes: Kathleens Reel, Frank Kirby, Chris Emigh; Holistic, Dan Peitz, Jon Court; Grace Happens, D. Wayne Lukas, Terry Thompson.
Devil House, entered for both the Azeri Handicap and the Thursday feature, will go into the $150,000 Azeri Handicap Sunday. The mile and one-sixteenth event Thursday will run as the ninth race with a post time of 5:11 p.m. CDT.
A Little Bit More
Wise Kid worked a half-mile for his anticipated start in the $300,000 Rebel Stakes next Saturday. The son of Lemon Drop Kid worked a half mile in 47.60 posting the second fastest time for the distance. The Tim Ritchey trainee has won his last two races at Oaklawn, and will be taking his first try at stakes company in the Rebel. Ritchey also sent recent maiden winner Everyday Hero for a half mile breeze in 48.0 under jockey Quincy Hamilton.
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