GREEN CAPS BIG MEET WITH RAINBOW WIN | HILLARY G COMES THROUGH FOR CONNECTIONS

HOT SPRINGS, AR (Friday, April 16, 2021) – Trainer Aidan Green put an exclamation point on a banner Oaklawn meeting when she sent out 6-5 favorite Blame J D in Friday’s $150,000 Rainbow Stakes for Arkansas-bred 3-year-olds at 6 furlongs. Blame J D marked the first career stakes victory for Green, who recorded her first career training victory Feb. 11 at Oaklawn. The Rainbow marked her eighth victory overall, this meet.

In the Rainbow, Blame J D, ridden by Ramon Vazquez, raced in third-place as Dusty Hill set the early fractions of :21 4/5 and :45 2/5 for the first half mile. The winner took over entering the stretch and drew clear from there to win by 3 ¾ lengths over Mrs. Beans. Rolling Fork was third. Winning time was 1:09 3/5 over a wet fast track.

The Rainbow as the second victory in four starts for Blame J D, a gelding by Blame owned and bred by James W. Matheney Jr. He returned $4.40, $2.80 and $2.40.

Two races later, Tommy Vance also earned his first career stakes victory in the $150,000 Rainbow Miss while handling the training duties of winner Hillary G for Texas-based horseman Austin Gustafson, who co-owns the filly with Linda and Michael Mazoch.

Ridden by David Cabrera, Hillary G tracked the early leader and 2-1 favorite Heated Argument through early fractions of :21 4/5 and :45 3/5 for the first half mile before assuming command in the stretch and drawing clear of that rival to win by 2 ¾ lengths. Kaboom Baby was third. The winning time was 1:11 1/5 over a wet fast track.

Hillary G, an Even the Score filly bred by McDowell Farm, was winning for the second time in three career starts and has now earned $150,475. She returned $12.60, $6 and $4 at odds of 5-1.

Live racing resumes Saturday with a special 12 noon first post. The 12-race card is highlighted by the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) and $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2).