FAVORITE KABOOM BABY WINS NATURAL STATE BREEDERS’ STAKES

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jennifer Hoyt, Director of Racing

jhoyt@oaklawn.com or 501-363-4305

Kaboom

Photo credit: Coady Photography

FAVORITE KABOOM BABY WINS NATURAL STATE BREEDERS’ STAKES

HOT SPRINGS, AR (Thursday, May 4, 2023) – Tracy K. Selby’s Kaboom Baby, who has placed in three other Oaklawn stakes since 2021, finally got first career stakes victory in Thursday’s $150,000 Natural Stakes Breeders’ Stakes.

With jockey Luis Quinonez aboard, Kaboom Baby saved ground along the rail after settling into sixth as Too Pretty set the early fractions of :23 2/5 and :47 4/5 for the first half mile. The winner was still fifth as they field entered the final turn, but as soon as she was moved to the outside, she was able to wear down Downthedustyroad Breeders’ Stakes winner Summer Shoes, who had taken the lead at the top of the stretch, in the final jump to win by a half-length. Too Pretty held on for third. The final time was 1:38 3/5 for one mile over a fast track.

“So, the first race of the meet, we knew we were probably a little short,” trainer Ernie Witt II said. “But she was training really good and we kind of knew she was on her way up the ladder and not down the ladder. She’s just always right there and I knew that at some point, with the right trip, she was going to get there. Earlier in her career, she was coming from so far back, that the trips would cost us. She’s really sharp this year and she’s much more forwardly placed. She’s sharper, so she’s not having to work out those bad trips.”

Kaboom Baby, a 5-year-old Hightail mare bred by her owner, has now improved her record to 4-4-4 in 15 starts and has now earned $421,859. She returned $6.60, $3.80 and $2.80 as the 2-1 favorite.

Live racing resumes Friday with a 12:20 p.m. first post. The 11-race, penultimate card is highlighted by the $150,000 Lake Ouachita Stakes and the third annual Pink Out Day celebrating Breast Cancer awareness. Oaklawn will also be showing the full simulcast of the Kentucky Oaks card from Churchill Downs where three-times Oaklawn stakes winner Wet Paint is the morning line favorite for the Oaks.

Stakes quotes:

Winning jockey Luis Quinonez: “She was always due for a win like that. She’s a nice filly and is just doing better this year. Ernie (Witt) has done a good job with her.”

Winning trainer Ernie Witt II: “So the first race of the meet, we knew we were probably a little short. But she was training really good and we kind of knew she was on her way up the ladder and not down the ladder. She’s just always right there and I knew that at some point, with the right trip, she was going to get there. Earlier in her career, she was coming from so far back, that the trips would cost us. She’s really sharp this year and she’s much more forwardly placed. She’s sharper, so she’s not having to work out those bad trips.”

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