Post Positions Set for Arkansas Derby
Day three of the famed Racing Festival of the South kicked into gear today, but all eyes were on the post position draw for the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby on Saturday. The big race drew a field of 10 three-year-olds each trying to be a part of Oaklawn and racing history.
Oaklawn President Charles J. Cella helped conceive the idea of the Racing Festival of the South and his track has developed the racing series into one of the most prominent race dates in the country. Created some 35 years ago, the festival idea has spread across the world in countries such as Europe and Australia.
“I never thought in my wildest dreams the festival concept would spread to so many places like it has,” said Cella at the post position draw for the Arkansas Derby. “When I was in college and would go to the Kentucky Derby, I would watch the large crowd, take in all the excitement, and say to myself this should not be confined to one day, that it should be spread out for a week.” Thus the Racing Festival of the South was born.
The Racing Festival of the South builds up to the final day of the meet when the Arkansas Derby gives the climax to a tremendous meet. The $1,000,000 race has a competitive group of colts and geldings each vying for their shot at greatness.
Trainer Larry Jones will send out contender Old Fashioned (pictured) in Saturday’s feature, who will break from the eight post as the morning line favorite at 9-5. “We like our chances on Saturday. We are happy with what he has done in his prep races,” mentioned Jones at the draw. “He has progressed nicely and we are happy with how he has been doing in the mornings. Terry Thompson will be on his own in the derby. I will give him no instructions.”
Long shot Summer Bird will enter the Arkansas Derby off an impressive maiden score for owner Dr. K.K. Jayaraman. “He doesn’t have much experience, but he has promise,” commented the longtime horse owner. “Me and my wife Vilasini feel he is a true contender. Summer Bird will be our fifth starter in the derby. Any racing person who has lived in Arkansas wants to win the Arkansas Derby some day.” Summer Bird was installed as 30-1 in the morning line and will wear number seven with Chris Rosier aboard.
The completed field listed with trainer, jockey, and odds: Captain Cherokee, Steve Asmussen, Aaron Gryder, 20-1; Papa Clem, Gary Stute, Rafael Bejarano, 6-1; Flat Out, Charles “Scooter” Dickey, Julio Garcia, 10-1; Poltergeist, Donnie K. Von Hemel, Quincy Hamilton, 20-1; Ziegfeld, Dale Romans, Jon Court, 12-1; Flying Private, D. Wayne Lukas, Israel Ocampo, 6-1; Win Willy, Mac Robertson, Cliff Berry, 7-2; Danger to Society, Rick Dutrow, Jr., Cornelio Velasquez, 6-1.
The biggest race of the Racing Festival of the South will be broadcast on ESPN starting at 5:00 p.m. with a post time of 5:41 p.m. CDT.
Mac Robertson Hopes Win Willy Wins
Trainer Mac Robertson knows the ins and outs of the horse racing business. Growing up with father, Hugh, in Chicago he learned his current trade as trainer, and will send out Win Willy (pictured) to a start in the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby. It will give Mac the biggest start of his training career.
The son of Monarchos put in his final work before his start on Saturday. The colt worked a half mile in a bullet :48.0 under jockey Cliff Berry. Mac said the move was right on target for Win Willy and systems are on go. Win Willy drew the nine post and was installed as the 7-2 second choice for Saturday’s feature.
“We have the same routine for the Arkansas Derby that we did for the Rebel Stakes,” commented Mac after post positions were announced. “He broke from the nine whole in the Rebel and he will break from the nine hole for the derby. That means we get to go to the same stall in the paddock, same place in the infield, the same place in the gate, and hopefully the same place in the winners circle.”
“I’m not one to push my horses as two-year-olds. This is the time of year where it seems a lot of horses start coming around,” mentioned the conditioner. “I became really impressed with him after he won that allowance race and how he galloped out. I knew he had talent after that race. The fact that he has been training here makes it easier for him, and keeps him from unraveling mentally. He is a pretty good horse around the barn, but there are times when he can be a jerk, but he is fairly well mannered.”
“I don’t have really any instructions for Cliff in the race. Just ride your race and do well,” smiled the trainer. “The racing festival is fun and it will be a lot of fun to have a horse in the derby. The horses that Mr. Cella has had come through at Oaklawn is something to be proud of. I hope we can be added to that list. We are real happy with how everything is going for us right now.”
Mac will be looking for his biggest career win to date with Win Willy in the Grade II Arkansas Derby. He could just do it, after all Win Willy did draw the nine hole in Saturday’s race just like he did in the Rebel Stakes.
A Little Bit More
Oaklawn’s Roxanne Tanner will have special guest jockey Quincy Hamilton (pictured) at Crosswalk Bar and Grill for her Thursday handicapping seminar. Not only will there be a question and answer portion for fans, but Tanner will give out her best plays of the day at Oaklawn. Crosswalk’s can be found right across the street from Oaklawn’s main entrance on Central Avenue. The seminar starts at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.
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