OAKLAWN NOTEBOOK
MARCH 6, 2009
by Steve Collison
Saturday
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. As February came to a close, Oaklawn
watched the first snow fall of the year, but even the cold north wind couldn’t
cool the enthusiasm for racing here in Hot Springs, Arkansas. On Saturday, the
stretch run of the 69th Mountain Valley S. provided some serious racing action
as long shot CITIZEN (City Zip) was able to win at the lofty price of 29-1. He
held off the late charges of Flying Private (Fusaichi Pegasus) and Lyin Heart
(Lion Heart) to capture the six-furlong dash before a chilled crowd of 15,273.
The Mountain Valley is probably best remembered as the starting spot for
Afleet Alex on his Triple Crown quest in 2005. This past Saturday there were two
Triple Crown nominees in the eight-horse field and they just happened to be the
pair making the late run at Citizen, only to come up just short.
A Special Meet
Considering the hard times we as a nation are currently traveling through,
it’s especially gratifying to see the success generating from this Oaklawn
stand.
“We could never had anticipated doing as well as we have,” said General
Manager Eric Jackson.
Jackson’s comparison of the past 18 days of racing shows an impressive set of
statistics for which he is rightfully proud. It shows that Oaklawn’s attendance
has jumped 8 percent and the live racing mutuel handle jumped 4 percent. There
is no question that more cooperative weather has played a part in this success,
but it doesn’t diminish the picture regardless.
“We are in the middle of a severe recession, in one of the poorest states in
the country and just got annihilated by one of the worst winter ice storms on
record,” Jackson noted. “I doubt if there is a racetrack, racino, casino,
resort, cruise ship, ski slope or any other travel/tourism entity that can say
the same.”
That’s what makes this Oaklawn meet so special to those associated with it.
Track Surface
Thursday: 1 wire
The week started off with winners coming through on the rail as well as
making sweeping moves from the outside. Basically jockeys seemed unconcerned
with where they were running and took whatever path seemed to be the best at the
time.
Friday: 1 wire
The day started off with a fast track but it began raining before the 2ND
race and the dirt appeared to be getting heavy. This affected those on the lead
throughout the 2ND and 3RD race, but by the time the 4TH rolled around it was
just a sloppy surface that was basically playing the same to everyone. While it
wasn’t overt enough to call a bias, it’s still worth taking note of.
Saturday: 3 wires
The surface appeared to be fair inside and out as runners were able to make
substantial moves along virtually every path.
Sunday: 3 wires
The fast track today produced no surprises as the surface was fair inside and
out. Several runners made big moves racing wide while the speed had no trouble
holding on from the rail.
Jockey Notes
Jockey TERRY THOMPSON continued his dominance in the standings this week as
he concluded with 27 wins, which was well ahead of the 17 posted by his nearest
rival CHRIS EMIGH. While it’s not surprising to see either of these names near
the top as both are long standing veterans here with many contacts, it is
puzzling to see EDDIE RAZO no where in sight. Last year Razo had one of his best
Oaklawn stands ever and was expected to pick up where he left off. Instead, he’s
barely on the radar screen with just 11 wins. One reason for this downfall is
the slumping stable of Stanley Roberts for whom Razo did a lot of work for last
year.
Terry Thompson: 27
Chris Emigh: 17
Calvin Borel: 14
Quincy Hamilton: 12
RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH
Friday (2/27)
1ST — I love it when a trainer thinks enough of a horse that he claims them
back just after losing the animal via the same route. If nothing else this
eliminates one of the biggest reasons horses lose in the first place which is
physical soundness. No one takes back a horse who isn’t physically sound, or at
the very least, they know how to treat what does ail them. Trainer Jerry Cart
took SLIGO JOE (Sligo Bay [Ire]) right back after losing him last out and the
four-year-old gelding is hitting on all cylinders right now. Cart has to have
reason to believe the winning trend will continue.
7TH — GOLD EMBER (Mutakddim) has been on a roll of late hitting the board in
four of his last five starts for trainer Chris Richard. Today, however, the
gelding failed to fire as expected but that can easily be attributed to the
sloppy strip he was asked to handle for the first time. Was claimed from this
race by Cart and a rebound wouldn’t be out of the question along with perhaps a
higher price then usual.
Saturday (2/28)
1ST — It’s hard to tell how much SMILIN DEL (Chief Seattle) has left to give
after winning three straight, but the end doesn’t appear to be too close by the
way he won today. Breaking from the extreme outside, the horse raced five-wide
around the first turn and the same around the second, and still had enough to
wear down the opposition. He was claimed by trainer Tim Ice from this contest
and with a little careful management this horse could be tough for sometime to
come.
Sunday (3/1)
1ST — GOLD TO GO (Touch Gold), a well-bred runner, has been in the money
with plenty of consistency and will fare much better under the care of new
trainer Al Cates. Horses like this tend to fall through the cracks in big
stables like that of Wayne Lukas.
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (2/26)
3RD — JENNINGS (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) had to drop down from the maiden
special weight ranks to get the job done, but the three-year-old gelding looked
impressive winning against this $15,000 field. It’s the kind of effort that can
build confidence and produce a sudden string of victories.
Friday (2/27)
1ST — CHILLIN VILLIAN (Good and Tough) had a difficult journey today, but
that’s only half the story. The five-year-old has been running well without much
to show for it and he continues to drop in class for a slumping stable that
doesn’t have any answers right now. However, current trainer Richard Jackson
isn’t as bad as he looks right now and by the time this stable gets straightened
out this horse will be low enough to score with ease even though his form
wouldn’t suggest as much.
Free Advice Corner: When a good stable is slumping it could be due to
numerous reasons. Perhaps they’ve had some grooms quit and they simply don’t
have enough help so things are being missed. There could be a flu going through
the barn that makes a horse congested but not sick enough to keep him out of
races. It is a business you know, and paying owners don’t want potential
paychecks sitting in the barn because of a few sniffles. But, when things start
to turn around you suddenly have horses running for $10,000 whose form looks bad
but who in reality are $30,000 stock. I think you’re beginning to get the
picture. Suddenly, a barn that couldn’t find the board in a walkover is winning
everything in sight. That’s why when a barn is slumping it’s best to stay away
until their situation changes. And when a barn is winning everything in sight,
it isn’t due to blind luck. There is a logic everywhere, even if it is hard to
find.
2ND — The rain had started to fall just prior to this race and you could see
the clumps of dirt sticking to bandages and horseshoes. ENCAUSTIC (Broad Brush)
took the lead but tired, and I must think it had something to do with the heavy
track surface as the eventual winner was a 17-1 shot who came from out of the
blue. Give this one a closer look next time out.
Sunday (3/1)
3RD — FREE MARKET (Aptitude) was overmatched by the odds-on choice, eventual
winner Allensworth (Prized), but the four-year-old colt still easily handled the
rest of this $7,500 field. Appears to have found his niche going two turns for
trainer Eric Reed.