OAKLAWN PARK
JANUARY 30, 2009
by Steve Collison
Ahead at Oaklawn
SEMAPHORE MAN (Formal Gold) represents the very epitome of the statement
“horse-for-the-course” as he bids to continue his dominance over the Oaklawn
track heading into what is likely going to be a short field this Saturday in the
$50,000 King Cotton S. at six furlongs.
Under the tutelage of Kelly Von Hemel, the handsome dark bay gelding has
never been worse than third in 11 Oaklawn starts. He has captured seven races,
including both the King Cotton and Count Fleet Sprint H. (G3) during the 2008
season. Of his total earnings of $427,710, the majority has been garnered over
the track at Oaklawn.
Announcing his sharpness for his seasonal debut, he has now posted a pair of
sizzling morning drills in recent days. It’s going to take an extremely good
horse to beat this monster over a surface that he relishes so much especially
considering he’s not been off the board in more than two years here.
Recap
HELLO AGAIN (Yankee’s Gentleman) stormed from well back of the pack to run
down the pacesetting favorite, Shining Moment (Yes It’s True), then had enough
left to hold off She’s Extreme (Unbridled’s Song) and capture Saturday’s
featured $50,000 Dixie Belle S.
In spite of icy temperatures, Hello Again extended her unbeaten streak to
three while making her stakes debut. Trained by Moises Yanez, the gray filly was
unhurried from the gate and raced far back for most the race. Turning for home, she made a wide move down the middle of the fast track and
won going away at the
wire.
“I’ve been with Moises now for 20 years, and this is one of my biggest wins.
We are thinking of taking her to the OBS Sprint Stakes at Ocala on February
16,” owner Charles Sigrist said following the race. “I didn’t think we were going
to win, but Moises told me not to worry.”
Jockey Notes
There’s a saying at Oaklawn that goes, “The sun always shines at Oaklawn,” but
lately that sun has been shining on jockey Terry Thompson as he currently rules
the jocks room with nine winners from five days of racing.
“I’ve been hot before, and it’s always a big thrill. Any winner is a thrill.
I’m not going to complain there,” Thompson remarked. “I ride for some really good trainers and have been getting on some good horses.
I hope everyday goes as good as the last couple of days have been.”
“I have had a lot of luck with fillies. I don’t know how that happened, but
the fillies I’ve ridden I have been fortunate with,” Thompson added.
Another jockey, Tanner Riggs, has also made an immediate impression upon his
arrival here at Oaklawn. This past Sunday his fans were in the stands and were
rewarded with a healthy payoff after he swept both ends of the late daily
double. The Tanner Riggs late daily double, numbers 7 & 6, was worth $242.20.
Terry Thompson 9
Eusebio Razo: 6
Quincy Hamilton: 6
Trainer Notes
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has no shortage of talent in his barn for
Oaklawn which is obviously one reason he’s so close to the top at the current
standings. This coming Saturday, he has horse to be looking forward to in SILVER
EDITION (Silver Deputy) as a possible starter in the King Cotton. Silver Edition
ran a beaten eighth in his last start in the Kings Bishop (G1) at Saratoga, but
he’s ready to rebound in a big way according to Lukas.
“He’s built like a linebacker,
and is a real knockout. He’s coming of a layoff, but has been doing extremely
well. He’s got good muscle to him,” Lukas explained.
Steve Hobby: 5
Steve Asmussen: 4
Jorge Lara: 4
Chris Richard: 4
Wayne Lukas: 4
RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH
Saturday (1/24)
4TH — IRISH DREAMER (Sahm) won for $14,000 in his previous start at
Hawthorne and was then moved to the sidelines for a brief breather. He came back
at a higher level ($20,000) yet was still claimed by trainer Allen Milligan. This
five-year-old doesn’t have his first allowance condition having already won
that, so unless Milligan is very stupid (he isn’t), he has a race already picked
out that he feels can be won easily.
Free Advice Corner!!!
The results to a situation like this one is how you can tell which trainers
are exceptionally sharp and which aren’t. Irish Dreamer horse doesn’t have to win next
out, but if he’s within a length or two, then you add Milligan to that
savvy list that will make you tons of money over the years. Only a sharp
operator can claim a horse moving up after a layoff and make money in the
process.
HORSES TO WATCH
Friday (1/23)
2ND — CHERRY PINK (Pure Prize) was coming off a two month vacation and was clearly not meant to win as his rider had her under a hammerlock throughout.
Whatever trainer John Locke’s plan is, you can expect it to become clear next
time around. Analyze his placement of this three-year-old carefully next time
around.
Saturday (1/24)
1ST — EXPRESSIVE EYES (Express Tour) is trained by Chris Richard, who has gotten off to a
lightening fast start here at Oaklawn and appears to have this lightly raced
filly on a winning path as well. Turned in a deceptively strong performance
today and is eligible to move ahead considerably in next adventure.
BEWARE OF THESE
Friday (1/23)
5TH — KINETIC MOTION (Hussonet) returned today from a eight-month leave of absence and
the four-year-old colt showed the way until late stretch before weakening grudgingly in final strides. You would expect him to be moving forward next out
in text book fashion. However, there’s a glaring problem as he was entered for
the first time for a tag of $25,000 even though he still has all of his
allowance conditions left. Furthermore, just prior to today’s contest, he turned
in a sizzling morning drill. So ask yourself a question. Why would trainer Milligan take a chance of losing a talent runner and then send up a red flare
just in case nobody noticed? If he stays in for a tag, we would advise caution
to the highest degree.
YOUNG BLOODS
Friday (1/23)
1ST — TWINKLE TERRI (Storm and a Half), a modestly bred first time starter, turned
in a solid effort going against a field of maiden special weight runners. What
makes her third-place finish impressive is that she’s trained by Hal
Wiggins, who has a woeful record with debut runners as he typically likes to race
them into shape. Wiggins now has plenty of operating room with this gal and
should be winning very soon.