Three Stars of the Week
– 1st Star: Officer Alex (PA) – After experimenting down the Triple Crown Trail around two turns, Officer Alex has found his home sprinting. He’s now one two races in a row at six furlongs, including this Saturday’s Bachelor Stakes in thrilling fashion. He sat in fifth for most of the race, and was able to just get up in time to nip the very pesky Bobcat Jim at the wire by a nose. Considering the depth of the field, the win was very impressive, and will most likely spring-board him into graded stakes action next time out.
– 2nd Star: Bashaar (KY) – It’s the time of year where three-year olds really develop, and nobody is coming on quicker than Bashaar! After three lack luster efforts to start his career, Bashaar has now one two in row in powerful fashion. His Maiden Special Weight win came on Rebel day, and Thursday he won a first level allowance by an eye-popping 13 lengths while never really asked to do much running. I’m sure his connections are wishing the Arkansas Derby was a week later than it is so he could run in it. Look for this horse to be seeking stakes company next, and it’s probably not out of the question that his name could pop up in a race like the Preakness or Belmont Stakes.
– 3rd Star: Devil and a Half (AR) – It was the last Arkansas Bred race of the season on Sunday, and Devil and a Half made it count as he smoked the field by six lengths in the Arkansas Breeders Stakes. The win was his first since winning the same race last year, and his six win overall out of twenty-four starts. The horse has struggled outside of Arkansas Bred company, and is six years old, so the future in unclear for him at this point. Nevertheless, you’d have to call this another successful meet for Devil and a Half.
Flop of the Week
– Tour Guide (KY) – The recent Calumet Farm purchase went to post as the favorite in the Bachelor Stakes, but ran very poorly and faded to last. All reports by D Wayne Lukas were positive headed into the race, so it was a surprising result that he was non-competitive. It will be interesting to see where he pops up next, or if he has some kind of injury. He certainly better than what he showed us Saturday.
Trainer Standings
Rank |
Trainer Name |
Sts |
1st | 2nd |
3rd |
Total $ |
|
Win% |
Top3 |
Top3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McLean Robertson | 104 | 28 | 11 | 24 | $765,417 | 27% | 63 | 61% | |
| 2 | Steven M. Asmussen | 128 | 26 | 23 | 20 | $935,201 | 20% | 69 | 54% | |
| 3 | Chris Richard | 77 | 22 | 12 | 7 | $453,610 | 29% | 41 | 53% | |
| 4 | Kenny P. Smith | 95 | 16 | 17 | 11 | $479,672 | 17% | 44 | 46% | |
| 5 | Donnie K. Von Hemel | 97 | 15 | 14 | 13 | $609,233 | 15% | 42 | 43% | |
| 5 | Chris A. Hartman | 70 | 15 | 17 | 9 | $403,352 | 21% | 41 | 59% | |
| 5 | Ron Moquett | 122 | 15 | 13 | 17 | $400,296 | 12% | 45 | 37% | |
| 5 | Cody Autrey | 76 | 15 | 9 | 10 | $331,386 | 20% | 34 | 45% | |
| 9 | Steve Hobby | 67 | 13 | 9 | 9 | $450,793 | 19% | 31 | 46% | |
| 9 | Jamie Ness | 39 | 13 | 7 | 3 | $209,566 | 33% | 23 | 59% | |
| 11 | Joseph R. Martin | 113 | 12 | 16 | 11 | $315,528 | 11% | 39 | 35% | |
| 11 | Allen Milligan | 177 | 12 | 14 | 13 | $281,883 | 7% | 39 | 22% | |
| 13 | Brad H. Cox | 38 | 11 | 2 | 8 | $165,917 | 29% | 21 | 55% | |
| 14 | D. Wayne Lukas | 69 | 10 | 9 | 9 | $988,813 | 14% | 28 | 41% | |
| 14 | Randy L. Morse | 82 | 10 | 9 | 15 | $287,017 | 12% | 34 | 41% |
Jockey Standings
| Rank |
Jockey Name |
Sts |
1st | 2nd |
3rd |
Total $ |
|
Win% |
Top3 |
Top3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricardo Santana, Jr. | 249 | 58 | 32 | 46 | $1,426,486 | 23% | 136 | 55% | |
| 2 | Robby Albarado | 218 | 42 | 28 | 27 | $1,327,577 | 19% | 97 | 44% | |
| 3 | Alex Birzer | 250 | 38 | 28 | 29 | $1,075,908 | 15% | 95 | 38% | |
| 4 | Luis S. Quinonez | 206 | 32 | 24 | 23 | $983,212 | 16% | 79 | 38% | |
| 5 | M. Clifton Berry | 223 | 28 | 38 | 28 | $932,541 | 13% | 94 | 42% | |
| 6 | Terry J. Thompson | 210 | 27 | 24 | 25 | $765,494 | 13% | 76 | 36% | |
| 7 | Victor Lebron | 156 | 22 | 22 | 20 | $768,701 | 14% | 64 | 41% | |
| 8 | Jon Kenton Court | 159 | 17 | 17 | 24 | $1,057,325 | 11% | 58 | 36% | |
| 9 | David Mello | 172 | 16 | 29 | 10 | $393,500 | 9% | 55 | 32% | |
| 10 | Eddie Martin, Jr. | 156 | 15 | 21 | 30 | $489,605 | 10% | 66 | 42% | |
| 10 | Israel Ocampo | 150 | 15 | 9 | 18 | $356,753 | 10% | 42 | 28% | |
| 12 | Malcolm Franklin | 146 | 13 | 15 | 9 | $350,171 | 9% | 37 | 25% | |
| 13 | Rosemary B. Homeister, Jr. | 108 | 12 | 11 | 11 | $360,172 | 11% | 34 | 31% | |
| 14 | Alex Canchari | 173 | 11 | 21 | 20 | $338,597 | 6% | 52 | 30% | |
| 14 | Glenn W. Corbett | 121 | 11 | 12 | 8 | $294,191 | 9% | 31 | 26% |
Preview to Next Week
– Wednesday: Fantasy Stakes (Grade 3) 3-Year Old Fillies, 1 1/16-Miles Purse: $400,000
– Thursday: Carousel Stakes 4-Year Old & Up Fillies and Mares, 6 Furlongs, Purse: $100,000
– Friday: Instant Racing Stakes 3-Year Old Fillies, 6 furlongs, Purse: $75,000
– Friday: Apple Blossom Handicap (Grade 1) 4-Year Old & Up Fillies & Mares, 1 1/16-Miles, Purse: $500,000
– Saturday: Northern Spur Stakes 3-Year Olds, 1 Mile, Purse: $100,000
– Saturday: Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (Grade 3) 4-Year Olds & Up, 6 Furlongs, Purse: $250,000
– Saturday: Oaklawn Handicap (Grade 2) 4-Year Olds & Up, 1 1/8-Miles, Purse: $500,000
– Saturday: Arkansas Derby (Grade 1) 3-Year Olds, 1 1/8-Miles, Purse: $1,000,000
