Oaklawn
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Oaklawn ready for Arkansas Derby |
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Written by Administrator II
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Sunday, April 5, 2009 4: p.m. EDT Thompson Shares Thoughts on Trainer Larry Jones Call them the dynamic duo of Oaklawn, but trainer Larry Jones and jockey Terry Thompson have one of the best working relationships at the spa meeting. Thompson rides most of the Jones horses on race day, and often works the stable in the morning. Thompson knows that he may not even ride some of the horses he works in the morning, but Jones trusts the feedback Thompson gives him. They will team up next Saturday in the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby with Old Fashioned. Thompson, who looks to take his first jockey title at Oaklawn, has a chance to take his second Arknasas Derby aboard the son of Unbridled’s Song. The jockey also knows that he always will have the support from Jones and that Jones can look for support from him. “I have never ridden for an easier trainer than Larry. I have been riding for him for at least the past ten years, going all the way back to Ellis Park,” mentioned Thompson between races. “He has never given me any riding instructions. About all he ever says in the paddock before he gives me a leg up is ‘good luck’.” “I get on most of his horses in the morning, so I know them well. Larry and I both want to win. We are both happy when we see each other in the winners circle,” smiled Thompson. “If we lose, he understands. Larry is not a trainer to get upset over a loss. We have both been in this game long enough to realize there is usually only one winner in the race.” Thompson understands that Larry has a lot to do and tough decisions to make on a daily basis. “He has decisions to make to get his horses ready to race. I have decisions to make in a course of that race,” Thompson contemplated. “When you ride a horse for Larry there is no second guessing. He is a pleasure to ride for and a good friend. I’m thankful.” The two will pair up throughout the remainder of the meet with not only Old Fashioned in the Arkansas Derby, but Tammy’s Victress in the Bayakoa Stakes, and Payton D’Oro in the Instant Racing Stakes. Scooter Dickey Has Chance With Flat Out Trainers at Oaklawn are hoping for their shot at history around this time of year and a shot of victory in the Grade II $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby. The race caps off the end of another spectacular meet at Oaklawn and has fans counting down the days until next year’s meet. One week from today colts and geldings from across the country will be here to earn their share of $1,000,000 and a chance to move on to the Triple Crown. A horse that fans recall, but haven’t heard much on lately will be Flat Out (pictured) from the barn of Charles “Scooter” Dickey. He hasn’t run since his fourth place finish in the Southwest Stakes, where the son of Flatter broke poorly from the gate spotting the field about five lengths. He now will be going to the Arkansas Derby attempting to gain purse money and a chance to move on to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Flat Out worked a mile this morning in preparation for the Arkansas Derby. He worked in 1:43.40 over a fast Oaklawn track this morning. “He went ok. I am pleased with the way he went. Jockey Julio Garcia, my go to boy, was in the saddle for the work,” mentioned Dickey. “He is a horse that is still learning. When he ran in the Southwest, he wasn’t ready for the start, he got away bad and then raced four wide, it didn’t help him at all.” “He still ran a good race on that day, he ran fourth,” commented Dickey. “I think he has a shot in the Derby. He has been doing everything right in the mornings, and is ready to go. If he runs one or two in the Arkansas Derby then we will go to the Kentucky Derby and take our chance there. This one horse next week could change the course of my life. You hope for a shot like that, and I’m excited for my shot with Flat Out.” Flat Out will look to cement a spot in the Kentucky Derby, but first must take a shot in the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby and give Dickey his first try at the Triple Crown. A Little Bit More Jockey Ken Shino will return to riding races after recuperating from breaking two ribs in an accident on February 8th. He rides Lassie’s Cat in the fifth race for trainer Tim Martin. Summer Bird put in his final drill before his upcoming start in next Saturday’s Arkansas Derby. The Tim Ice trainee worked five panels in a bullet time of 1:00.20. It left jockey Chris Rosier excited at his shot in the race. “He worked so easily. I couldn’t be any happier with the way this colt is coming up to the Arkansas Derby,” commented Rosier. “I really believe he will surprise some people next Saturday. He is sitting on ready.” |
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Apple Blossom Festival ready |
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Written by Administrator II
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Posted Thursday, April 2, 2009 11:55 p.m. EDT Apple Blossom Kicks Festival into Gear Get ready because the Racing Festival of the South will be upon us in less than 48 hours. The posts have been drawn for opening day of the festival, which features the $500,000 Apple Blossom and the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap. The Grade I $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap kicks things into gear on Saturday. A field of five will compete in the mile and one-sixteenth event. Acoma (pictured) heads the Saturday co-feature. The Empire Maker filly will look for second win at Oaklawn after her four length romp in the Azeri Handicap and her fourth consecutive win. Regular rider Julien Leparoux will be in the saddle once again for trainer David Carroll. The second choice in the field will be Seventh Street, who comes from the barn of Kiaran McLaughlin. The four-year-old filly will be making only her second start against graded stakes company, but she most recently finished second in the Barbara Fritchie Handicap. Seventh Street has finished no worse than third from five career starts. Rajiv Maragh will be in from New York to ride. Trainer Gary “Red Dog” Hartlage sends out French Kiss, who was made six to one in the morning line. The Hussonet filly will be looking for her third win of the Oaklawn meeting as she took $50,000 Pippin Stakes on February 14th and an allowance race opening weekend. “French Kiss is a lot smarter than her dam (Ornate),” mentioned Hartlage. “French Kiss uses every bit of talent she has. She leaves nothing out on the track.” Superior Storm, the top Louisiana bred filly, comes from Oaklawn regular Rick Jackson’s barn. The Stormy Atlantic four-year-old filly has posted a stellar record of 11 wins from 16 starts and most recently beat Proud Spell in an allowance optional claiming race. Luis Quinonez will ride Superior Storm and will break from the two hole. D. Wayne Lukas sends out Color Me Up off a disappointing effort in the Azeri Handicap where she ran seventh. The Aptitude filly will be making her fourth start of the meet, where she has recorded one win. Terry Thompson will be aboard Color Me Up and will break from the four post. Post time for the $500,000 Apple Blossom will be 4:57 p.m. CDT. Oaklawn Handicap Draws Seven The king supreme at Oaklawn for older handicap horses will be the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap. The mile and one-eighth event will challenge seven older horses and earn one of them top honors in the Grade II race. Honest Man, trained by Larry Jones, headlines the Oaklawn Handicap and drew post position four. The five-year-old Unbridled’s Song horse will make his first start at Oaklawn and try to add to his record of 7-1-12 from 14 starts and earnings of $461,450. “We are right in the middle of things with the four hole,” said Jones. “This race has it all; speed, stalkers, and horses that can come from out of it. It has a little bit of everything He is doing well right now. We are excited about him.” Prom Shoes the William Fires trainee, will break from the two post under jockey Chris Emigh. The five-year-old son of Include will be looking for his first graded stakes win and his second Racing Festival of the South win. He took the 2008 edition of the Fifth Season. “The post doesn’t make much difference for him. He comes from so far back that it doesn’t really bother him where he breaks,” mentioned Fires at the post position draw. “He is doing everything like he should, and has trained like he has up to his last two races.” Trainer Mike Stidham sends out barn star Secret Getaway in the Handicap. The four-year-old colt by Skip Away tried to go gate to wire in his last outing in the New Orleans Handicap only to be run down by Macho Again in the final strides. “I have a solid contender in Secret Getaway. I’m glad to be getting the opportunity to ride him,” said jockey Cliff Berry, who has the mount on Secret Getaway in the Oaklawn Handicap. “Life doesn’t get any better than this. I’m ready to go!” The complete field for the 63rd running of the Oaklawn Handicap, listed with trainer and jockey: Catmantoo, Tim Ice, Terry Thompson; It’s A Bird, Marty Wolfson, Julien Leparoux; Jonesboro, Randy Morse, Calvin Borel; Runforthedoe, Paulo Lobo, Jon Court. Post time for the Saturday co-feature will be 6:02 p.m. CDT. A Little Bit More Jockey Tim Doocy continues to inch closer to his 5,000 win. The veteran jockey lacks four wins from his 5,000 milestone. On Thursday’s card he posted two second place finishes as of the fifth race. Doocy has two more mounts on the card and will have seven mounts on Friday’s card. If anybody’s favorite number was two they were in luck on Thursday’s card. The number two hit the board in every race on the card. The post position won three races, finished second five times, and ran third once. A Boeing 727 airplane carrying four starters for the Racing Festival of the South arrived at Hot Springs Memorial Airport today at 3:00 p.m. Trainer Rick Dutrow’s Danger to Society, who runs in the Arkansas Derby, Marty Wolfson’s It’s A Bird, Seventh Street for Kiaran McLaughlin, and Wally Dollase’s Distinctive Dixie for the Bayakoa Stakes got off the plane and loaded the awaiting van that would carry them to Oaklawn’s backside. |
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It's A Bird in Oaklawn Handicap |
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Written by Administrator II
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Posted Thursday, April 2, 2009, 12:15 a.m. EDT It’s A Bird Goes into the Oaklawn Handicap Roll out the red carpet at Oaklawn Park; it’s that time of year when a who’s who of horse racing will be in town to show off their best in the barn. To kick things off once again this year will be the $500,000 Apple Blossom and the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap, each race giving one horse a chance to be named with some of the greats of horse racing. The Grade II Oaklawn Handicap will feature a probable field of eight. One horse that will garner some play will be It’s A Bird from the barn of Marty Wolfson. The six-year-old horse by Birdonthewire comes off a third place finish at Fair Grounds in the New Orleans Handicap. With a win in the Oaklawn Handicap, It’s A Bird will surpass the million dollar mark in earnings. “He has been doing well since his last race, he put in a nice workout the other day in preparation for the Handicap,” commented Wolfson. “The track at Fair Grounds was really sticky and he shipped in for that race. It seemed as if the track benefited the horses that had been training there. He still ran a good race.” Julien Leparoux will ride It’s A Bird for the Oaklawn Handicap and has ridden the horse in his last two races. “He came to Florida for the first time this winter to ride at Gulfstream, and I knew he had talent so I put him on some of my horses,” said the Florida based trainer. “He is the perfect rider. He can do it all. In the Sunshine Million’s he did exactly what I asked him to do. In a twelve horse field he listened to my directions and I was pleased with that. He is a talented rider.” “I have run in the Oaklawn Handicap before, the track seems to favor horses that are on the lead or near the lead,” mentioned Wolfson. “I don’t know yet if I will be at Oaklawn on Saturday. I’m trying to work out a flight schedule, but if not I will have Tim Ritchey saddle for me. He has horses for the same owner as It’s A Bird.” The post position draw for both the Oaklawn Handicap and Apple Blossom will be at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday. Fans can watch the draw on the first floor across from the main elevator. Trainer Wolfson will look for his first stakes win at Oaklawn and his during the prestigious Racing Festival of the South. Compton Takes Five on Sunday Card If there was anybody on Sunday that deserved a high five in the jock’s room it was jockey Perry Compton (pictured). The veteran jockey took five wins on Sunday’s card including the featured Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes on favorite Ain’t He a Pistol. Compton started off the day by winning the first race on Smoky Belle, the fourth on Teresa’s Sparkle, the eighth on Everyday Heroes, the ninth on Ain’t He a Pistol, and the night cap on Tappin ‘n Preachin. Not bad for a day’s work, and not bad for Compton, who won his first race back on August 2, 1969. “The five wins were a good day. I shouldn’t be getting a lot of the credit. A lot of people had input,” commented the elder jockey. “Anytime you see a cluster of wins, several people had a part in it. I have won five on a program several times. A nice thing about those five wins on Sunday was I later received phone calls from a lot of people, some I had not heard from in a while.” Compton has ridden seven winners on a race card once before. That happened on February 19, 2000 at Fonner Park in Nebraska. “Odd thing about that, a few days before jockey Ken Shino rode six winners there. Then I had the seven wins, and then a few days later, Shino won eight races,” laughed Compton. “There used to be a stigma against tall jockeys. We’ve had three riding at Oaklawn this meet that are as tall as myself,” said Compton who stands 5’8”. “When I started out, I thought my career would be short. There have been a lot of advances in nutrition and medical science since I started out.” “I’m feeling well now and I am doing well. I consider myself lucky. I have a grandson who I’ll tell about the multi-win days. I hope to have more grandchildren. Of course, I also hope to have more multi-win days,” mentioned Compton. “From Oaklawn, I will go to Iowa and then I will finish the year at either Hawthorne in Chicago or Remington Park in Oklahoma.” A veteran in the sport, Compton continues to show he still can fight tooth and nail for the win against the up and comers in the sport of kings. A Little Bit More Trainer Larry Jones confirmed this morning that top older filly Proud Spell will sit out the $500,000 Apple Blossom on Saturday due to some swelling in her left hind ankle. “She made it to our stable at Keeneland and our vets will take a look at it, and make sure she is ok. We are a little disappointed she isn’t staring in the Apple Blossom, but we want to make sure she is 100%. We think it is a little infection in there.” Fantasy favorite Rachel Alexandra (pictured) put in her final drill before her start on Sunday in the $250,000 event. The filly bullet worked a half mile in 47.60 over a fast track. Rachel Alexandra will be looking for her fourth consecutive stakes win of her career in the mile and one-sixteenth race. Speaking of tune up’s, veteran trainer Bob Holthus’s barn star Pure Clan put in her first workout since running a disappointing tenth in the Breeders’ Cup filly and mare turf. The four-year-old Pure Prize filly worked an easy three-eighths in 37.60 |
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Carousel Tops Saturday Card |
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Written by Administrator II
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Thursady, march 26, 2009 7:35 p.m. EDT
The 30th running of the Carousel Stakes will highlight Saturday’s card. The six furlongs sprint features a talented field of seven older fillies and mares. Palanka City (pictured) will go for her second stakes win of the meet as six others vie for their first at Oaklawn. Palanka City, the likely favorite, most notably battled Rated Fiesty and produced one of the best rivalries of the meet in the Spring Fever and American Beauty stakes. The Terry Gestes trainee has had success at Oaklawn posting a record of three wins and two seconds from six starts. The Carson City filly breaks from post six under regular rider Chris Emigh. Larry Jones’ Blowing Kisses will try for her first stakes win of 2009 in the Carousel. The four-year-old filly by Vindication ran second and third in a pair of stakes at Aqueduct this year. In her most recent outing she won an allowance optional claiming event under Oaklawn’s leading rider Terry Thompson, who will be back in the saddle Saturday. The likely pace setter in the group will be Pro Pink from Mac Robertson’s stable. The five-year-old mare will be making her second start off a layoff. Pro Pink will be looking for her second career stakes victory after taking last years Hoist the Flag at Canterbury Park in Minnesota. Cliff Berry will be in the saddle for the first time on Pro Pink, who will break from the gate from post two. The completed field with trainer and jockey: Solarana, Bernie Flint, Jon Court; Clever Strike, Don Von Hemel, Quincy Hamilton; Irish Party, Kelly Von Hemel, Eddie Razo, Jr.; Minewander, David Vance, Larry Melancon. Post time for the tenth and featured race will be 5:31 p.m. CDT. Rainbow Miss Features Eight Arkansas Bred Fillies The Rainbow Miss and Rainbow Stakes give Arkansas breeders a chance to showcase what they have every year. On Saturday the Rainbow Miss will highlight the top three-year-old fillies bred in Arkansas. A field of nine entered for the co-feature on Saturday’s card, headlined by the entry Affirmed Truth and Awesome Truth from Tim Ice’s stable. Affirmed Truth enters the Rainbow Miss off a win in her most recent race. The Proudest Romeo filly faced Fantasy Stakes favorite Rachel Alexandra in the Martha Washington Stakes, where she ran fourth after setting the pace in the early part of the race. Jon Court will ride Affirmed Truth in the Rainbow Miss. On the far outside Terry Gestes sends out Robin My Girl, who has been consistently in the money in her three starts at Oaklawn. The daughter of Mutakddim will try for her second win of the meet and her first stakes score of her career. Before breaking her maiden at Oaklawn, Robin My Girl ran against open company in the Bassinet Stakes at River Downs in Ohio. Chris Emigh (pictured) will break from the eight hole in the Rainbow Miss. Time Well Spent ships in for the Rainbow Miss for trainer Michelle Lovell. The Storm and a Half filly will be making her first start against Arkansas bred fillies. In her most recent race she finished sixth in an allowance race at Fair Grounds. The speedster will get Quincy Hamilton in the saddle for the Arkansas bred stakes race. The rest of the field includes, listed with trainer and jockey: Dona’s Diva, Tim Dixon, Alex Birzer; Divine Wish, Bret Calhoun, Cliff Berry; Scamp and a Half, Scotty McNair, Calvin Borel; Humble Storm Kathy, Steve Asmussen, Luis Quinonez; Smell the Roses, David Whited, Perry Compton. The Rainbow Miss will be the ninth race on the eleven race card and will run at 5:02 p.m. CDT. A Little Bit More Superior Storm, who last out beat Proud Spell in an allowance race, worked a half mile over a fast track this morning. The Rick Jackson (pictured) trainee worked 48.20 in preparation for her next start. Jackson has indicated that he will look at the nominations for both the $500,000 Apple Blossom on April 4th and the $100,000 Bayakoa stakes on April 8th before making any decisions with his barn star. |
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Oaklawn's lates Barn Notes |
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Written by Administrator II
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Thursday, March 26, 2009 11:30 a.m. EDT Rosier Struggles With Disease and Profession There are some that call the role of being a jockey one of the toughest jobs at the racetrack. Jockeys are the fittest athletes in the world and they have to be prepared to expect the unexpected. One jockey at Oaklawn not only battles the dangers of the profession, but that of being a type I diabetic. Jockey Chris Rosier (pictured) goes through the every day grind of being a race rider and also has diabetes. Diabetes affects the pancreas in the body as to whether or not it will make the hormone insulin, which controls the amount of sugar in the blood. Everything a diabetic does, eating, exercise, and sleeping, has an affect on the body. Rosier rides 1,000 pounds thoroughbreds and has to weigh a certain amount to compete at the top level. “It is hard being a diabetic and a jockey. I wear an insulin pump that helps control by diabetes, I don’t wear it riding races, but when I work horses I wear it,” says Rosier. “Eating is my biggest issue being a jockey and a diabetic. I am supposed to eat certain foods to control my diabetes, but can’t because I have to make weight to race ride. I check my blood sugar ten or more times a day. I want to stay on top of my diabetes.” In 2004 Rosier broke his collarbone in a riding accident and it was in the hospital he discovered he had the disease. “I went blind for four days, and they didn’t know why. It was scary. They then told me I had diabetes,” commented Rosier between races. “I live with it now, and everyday is a struggle, but it makes you a stronger person.” Rosier has had success this meet riding for trainer Tim Ice and will ride Blushing Romeo in the $50,000 Rainbow Stakes on Saturday. “I am happy with the success I have had this meeting. Tim and I have a good work ethic. I gallop 90 percent of Tim’s barn in the morning,” reflected Rosier. “Tim gave me a shot down at Louisiana Downs and I am grateful for that. I am wiser person now then when I started riding. I got too much too soon, and it went to my head. I am happy with my second chance.” Rosier now also may have a possible Arkansas Derby mount in Summer Bird, who broke his maiden last Thursday by two and a quarter lengths for owners Dr. K.K and Devi Jayaraman. Top Three-Year-Olds in Friday Allowance Race The eighth race on Friday’s card will highlight one of the most talked about horses on the Oaklawn backstretch. Hamazing Destiny will look for his first win since his hefty purchase by Westrock Stables LLC and since being transferred from Mac Robertson’s barn to D. Wayne Lukas’ stable. The son of Salt Lake broke his maiden at first asking by a commanding ten and one-half lengths early in the meet. After that dominating win, original owner Barry Butzow sold a percentage of the talented three-year-old and the horse was transferred to Lukas’ barn. Hamazing Destiny ran in the $300,000 Rebel Stakes on March 14th where he finished eighth to Win Willy from Robertson’s barn. Now Hamazing Destiny lands in an allowance optional claiming race and Lukas can find out if his million dollar horse has the stamina to go in a route or should stay short where he has shown talent. Jockey Israel Ocampo will replace Terry Thompson for Friday’s race. Trainer Charles “Scooter” Dickey will send out Pointing Home on Friday. Fresh off of breaking his maiden on February 22nd by a length and a half, the son of Point Given ran a beaten sixth in the Rebel Stakes. Pointing Home picks up jockey Quincy Hamilton, who has had a stellar 2009 meet at Oaklawn and sits third in the jockey standings as of Sunday’s card. A horse that has been improving is Good Sermon from the barn of William “Jinks” Fires. The son of Honour and Glory has hit the board in his three outings at Oaklawn. In his last start, Good Sermon set soft fractions going a mile to score a gate to wire victory under jockey Jon Court, who has the return mount for Friday. The rest of the field will include, horse listed with trainer and jockey: Moscow Adventure, Donnie K. Von Hemel, Cliff Berry; High Spirit, Hal Wiggins, Terry Thompson; Har D Boy, Steve Asmussen, Luis Quinonez; Falling Knife, Thomas Amoss, Eusebio Razo, Jr.; Smuggler’s Hold, Ernie Witt, Rohan Singh. Post time will be 4:44 p.m. CDT for the mile and one-sixteenth race. A Little Bit More Lil E. Tee, an equine legend who left his mark at Oaklawn, was euthanized on March 18th. Lil E. Tee ran second in both the Southwest Stakes and Arkansas Derby before his most memorable win in the 1992 Kentucky Derby. As a four-year-old Lil E. Tee took the Razorback Handicap and ran second in the Oaklawn Handicap for owner W. Cal Partee and trainer Lynn Whiting. Papa Clem, prepping for his start in the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby, worked five panels over a fast Oaklawn track Tuesday morning. Working under jockey Larry Sterling, Jr. the Smart Strike colt went in 1:01.40 first after the break for trainer Gary Stute. William “Jinks” Fires worked Prom Shoes this morning in preparation for a possible start in the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap on April 4th or the $100,000 Fifth Season Stakes. Breaking from the five-eighths pole, the son of Include bullet worked i |
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