OAKLAWN NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 29, 2008
by Steve Collison
FERRAGAMO (Vindication), making his stakes debut for owners Fletcher and
Carolyn Gray and trainer Larry Jones, overcame a slow start to capture the
Mountain Valley S. for three-year-olds by 1 1/4 lengths over
6-5 favorite Carson’s Legacy (Carson City) before a crowd of 15,211 on
Saturday. This marked the second three-year-old in six days to win an Oaklawn
stakes for Jones. Last Monday, he saddled Eight Belles (Unbridled’s Song) to a
record 13 1/2-length victory in the second division of the $50,000 Martha
Washington S. for three-year-old fillies.
Spotsgone (Bright Launch) will make his next start on March 8 in the
$150,000 Razorback H. (G3) for four-year-olds and up. Spotsgone looked
impressive when taking the Essex H. here on February 9 in wire-to-wire fashion
and while he figures to have a tougher time on the front end next out, he still appears to
be the one to fear in this contest.
NOTES
In Thursday’s opener, trainer Hector Magana broke out of his meet
long slump when sending PINE BLUFF BELLE (Idabel) to the winner’s circle at odds
of 7-1. The victory broke an 18-race losing skid for the typically dependable
Magana, and a much-needed win can often signal a return to normalcy which can prove profitable.
Also as expected, trainers Steve Asmussen and Cody Autrey have begun picking up
steam after a slow start in Hot Springs. Autrey in particular was exceptionally
hot last week, winning with four-of-eight starters.
TRAINER PROFILE
Trainer JESSE WIGGINTON is another in a long line of veteran horseman who ply
their trade at Oaklawn every winter. Wigginton isn’t flashy but instead brings a
workmanlike ethic to his profession and that shows in the success he always
enjoys here. What makes him so effective at a meet like Oaklawn is his ability
to have layoff horses ready to run right off the bench. Wigginton wins at a solid
30 percent clip under such conditions and frequently you’ll see this horses winning
on the rise, which isn’t an easy accomplishment. It does however help to
telegraph when Jesse feels he’s got a horse feeling good. Fillies coming back
after a vacation fare especially well as do all of his female runners, which is
something his barn wins with almost 25 percent of the time. That’s a huge
number considering we’re talking about nearly 150 starters. To help illustrate
just how capable Wigginton actually is, he wins when he’s supposed to, hitting
an astounding 80 percent of the time with odds-on choices, which is an
incredible number.
JOCKEY PROFILE
Although CALVIN BOREL has been coming to Oaklawn for years, it wasn’t until
he won the Kentucky Derby (G1) last year aboard Street Sense that people
nationwide began taking notice. For those who previously had been paying attention,
they would have noted how well Borel does with his runners going two turns as
his patience tends to pay solid dividends. The longer the race goes, the
better Calvin does. Which is one reason why his superb ride in the Derby didn’t
surprise those who have been watching him perform that way for years. Borel is
also quick to ascertain how a track is playing and despite having a reputation
for skimming the rail, if he’s staying outside you can be sure the inner portion
of the strip is dead. If there’s a fault with Borel from a handicapping
standpoint, it’s his loyalty to old friends. He’ll frequently stick with an old
friend instead of moving to a better horse which can be somewhat confusing to a
handicapper, but is admirable in every other way.
RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH
Thursday (2/21)
3RD — HEADING HOME (Anees) showed little when coming off the shelf last
out for trainer Donnie Von Hemel yet the hot Autrey took the mare anyway. This
is one of the keys to understanding Autrey’s claims, which is to say you must
read between the lines.
10TH — CIGAR SAM (Cohiba) has “loser” stamped all over him having
just one win from 13 previous career starts. Once again today had no excuse when
finishing second yet was claimed by astute claiming trainer Jorge Lara. Expect a
quick trip to the winner’s circle for new connections.
Friday (2/22)
1ST — ESSENCE OF TEXAS (Essence of Dubai) broke his maiden today
only to get disqualified for Lara. Was claimed in a timely fashion
by Michael Natale, who should have no problem getting this one to the winner’s
circle once again.
Sunday (2/24)
1ST — TRITON MISSILE (Devil His Due) turned in a weak effort today
but was claimed by Lara, who has a knack for revitalizing this type of hard
knocker.
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (2/21)
1ST — THUNDERING JILL (Thunderello), who after winning her last start in a powerful fashion
for Lynn Whiting, turned in another solid effort today.
Unfortunately she was compromised when forced to press the pace while racing
wide but still finished with excellent determination.
4TH — COVEY RISE (Castle Gandolfo) turned in a much better effort after an
initial weak debut performance. Trained by Whiting, the three-year-old gelding could be especially
dangerous if stretched out next time around.
6TH — ORIENTATE EXPRESS (Orientate) started for trainer Kelly Von Hemel, who doesn’t do that well with his first time starters,
and the well-bred gelding turned
in an excellent debut. Found the place spot despite suffering
through tons of racing troubles.
Friday (2/22)
1ST — PROFESSOR HENNESSY (Hennessy) was the victim of the
erratic running of Essence of Texas (Essence of Dubai) and appears to be primed to win when making
his third start off the shelf next time around.
Sunday (2/24)
2ND — LASTING THE STORM (Storm and a Half) added
blinkers today and the lightly raced gelding turned in an improved performance despite having a difficult
trip going short. He’s much better with added ground which should prove the case
next time out.
BEWARE OF THESE
Thursday (2/21)
5TH — SAUCON MEADOW (Meadow Monster), who after making her debut last June,
needed another six-months to get back to the track again for trainer Tim Ritchey. That
came on January 26 at Oaklawn, but after winning easily that day she didn’t work
again despite nearly a month between starts. She showed some early speed today but
retreated far too readily, and we’ll be wary of her on the plunge next out.
Friday (2/22)
3RD — POLITICAL WEAPON (Political Whit) threw a tizzy when coming out
of the starting gate, signaling that the old timer’s had enough of racing or at the very
least is suffering from a physical problem. Don’t assume this was just an
isolated incident that will go away on its own. It also may be why Lara elected to put a bug rider aboard today since they typically have more
nerves then brains.