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Dutrow barn ready to roll at Oaklawn

King's Bishop winner The Big Beast heads Tony Dutrow's Oaklawn string (Lauren King/Adam Coglianese Photography) Trainer Tony Dutrow has started to formulate plans for several of his top horses at Oaklawn Park, including Grade 1 winner The Big Beast. Dutrow, based this winter in Arkansas, said the major spring objective for The Big Beast is the $300,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 9. Owned by Dutrow's major client, Alex and JoAnn Lieblong of Conway, Arkansas, The Big Beast hasn't started since winning the $500,000 King's Bishop on August 23 at Saratoga. The Big Beast subsequently underwent surgery to remove a tiny bone chip from an ankle and resumed training last fall. The four-year-old son of Yes It's True returned to the worktab January 7 at Oaklawn, posting a three-furlong bullet in :36 2/5. Dutrow said he plans to work The Big Beast a half-mile later this week and have one yet-to-be determined prep for the six-furlong Count Fleet.

"He's filled out," Dutrow said. "He's a big horse, but all athlete. Nothing bulky about him."

Dutrow said Arkansas Derby candidate I Spent It is "doing fantastic," but isn't close to a comeback race. A Grade 2 winner last summer, I Spent It had a small bone chip removed from a knee, Dutrow said, following a sixth-place finish in the $500,000 Champagne on October 4 at Belmont Park.

I Spent It was the first winner sired by 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver.

Two three-year-old daughters of Super Saver, Embellish the Lace and High Dollar Woman, are candidates for the $400,000 Fantasy on April 4.

Dutrow said he hopes to run Embellish The Lace in an entry-level allowance race Saturday. The filly, who broke her maiden December 13 at Parx, worked a half-mile in :49 3/5 Tuesday.

High Dollar Woman, an entry-level allowance winner December 13 at Parx, is pointing for the $100,000 Martha Washington Stakes on January 31, Dutrow said.

Dutrow also has a promising three-year-old Bernardini colt, Tekton, for Arkansas lumberman John Ed Anthony. Tekton, who broke his maiden December 19 at Laurel, worked five furlongs in 1:02 1/5 Tuesday.

Dutrow, who last had a division at Oaklawn in 2011, has 15 horses now in Hot Springs and most are three-year-olds.

"We love it here," Dutrow said. "We've got a great barn. Our horses are doing super. We love the town. The people treat us fantastic. Where do I stop?"

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