Oaklawn Report #4

Three Stars of the Week

– 1st Star: Ivan Fallunovalot (TX) – How good is this horse right now?  Is there a sprinter in the country that could beat this horse at Oaklawn Park?  The answer could be no, as Ivan Fallunovalot beat a solid field in the King Cotton Stakes on Saturday with absolute ease.  Many felt the horse might bounce off of his huge allowance performance earlier in the meet, but this horse is in peak form right now.  Bring on all shippers, he’ll be ready!

– 2nd Star: Hillbilly Royalty (KY) – Country music star Toby Keith is having an incredible meet at Oaklawn Park, and Hillbilly Royalty may have put him square in the Arkansas Derby picture with a huge allowance score on Friday.  The win was perhaps the most impressive win by a 3 year old yet at Oaklawn, and has trainer Donnie K Von Hemel thinking about trying the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes next time out.  The waters will get deep in that race, but Hillbilly Royalty looks ready for the challenge.

– 3rd Star: Heykittykittykitty (OK) – This horse has always been consistent, but her Friday allowance score may have been her best race ever.  While stalking the pace throughout, Heykittykittykitty exploded on the turn and cruised to an easy one and a half length victory over a classy horse in Devious d’Oro.  The win could springboard her into stakes action next time out.

Flop of the Week

– Pioneerof the West (FL) – After finishing third in the Sham Stakes (Grade 3) at Santa Anita last time out this horse was bet down to the 7/5 favorite in the Friday feature, but was majorly disappointing finishing sixth, and beaten 17 lengths.  Hard to know what happen to him in this one…