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Oaklawn Report #1

Oaklawn Report #1

Ride On Curlin was a Big Allowance Winner on Opening Weekend
Ride On Curlin was a Big Allowance Winner on Opening Weekend

Three Stars of the Week

– 1st Star: Drogue (KY) – Who saw this one coming??  In Saturday’s running of the Fifth Season Stakes all eyes where on Drogue’s stable mate, Cyber Secret, but it was Drogue who stole the show winning by an eye-popping nine lengths.  Coming into the race Drogue had won two nice allowance races at Churchill Downs, and trainer Mike Johnson had said the horse had been training excellent at Oaklawn since arriving.  Still, it was Cyber Secret who was expected to romp.  He was the winner of four races last year at Oaklawn, including the Razorback and Oaklawn Handicap.  The win for Drogue was his first ever stakes win, and you’d have to think he’ll get more chances to add to that as the meet progresses.

– 2nd Star: Street Story (KY) – The wide open three-year old filly division kicked off Friday, and it was Street Story who made the first statement of the year as she won the Dixie Belle in stylish fashion.  Street Story stalked the early hot pace, and was able to take the lead in mid stretch while holding off a late charge from Racing Holiday and Questile.  It appears Street Story is rounding into form nicely, and her pedigree suggests that she’ll be able to stretch out.  The Martha Washington in February could be her next race.

– 3rd Star: Ride On Curlin (KY) – There were several nice three-year performances on opening weekend, but Ride On Curlin’s stuck out as the best one.  After struggling last time out at Churchill Downs, he found his form again in the six furlong sprint allowance on Sunday.  He stalked a hot pace and was able to pounce at the top of the stretch and pull away with ease by two lengths.  The workman like effort will most likely propel Ride On Curlin into the Southwest Stakes next time out.  Consider him back in the Kentucky Derby picture.

Flop of the Week

More Than Beauty (KY) – It’s hard to get down on anyone from this weekend considering how tough the track was playing, but More Than Beauty gets this infamous award by finishing eighth in the Dixie Bell on opening day.  The pace was certainly hot in the race, and More Than Beauty was part of it, but she backed out very early before they even entered the stretch run.  She was the beaten 2-1 favorite, but I do think there will be better days ahead for her.

Trainer Standings

Rank Trainer Name Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Total $ Win% Top3 Top3%
1 Cody Autrey 11 5 0 1 $89,118 45% 6 55%
11 Federico   Villafranco 5 2 1 1 $32,133 40% 4 80%
13 Chris A. Hartman 2 2 0 0 $26,400 100% 2 100%
14 Lynn   Chleborad 5 2 0 0 $25,748 40% 2 40%
2 Steven M. Asmussen 10 1 1 0 $74,261 10% 2 20%
3 Mike W. Johnson 1 1 0 0 $60,000 100% 1 100%
4 Mark E. Casse 5 1 0 1 $46,629 20% 2 40%
5 Kellyn   Gorder 3 1 0 1 $41,100 33% 2 67%
6 David R. Vance 3 1 1 0 $37,048 33% 2 67%
7 Albert M. Stall, Jr. 1 1 0 0 $34,500 100% 1 100%
8 William G. Gowan 1 1 0 0 $33,600 100% 1 100%
9 George R. Arnold, II 1 1 0 0 $33,000 100% 1 100%
10 D. Wayne Lukas 8 1 1 3 $32,450 13% 5 63%
12 Brad H. Cox 4 1 1 0 $30,588 25% 2 50%
20 Jack   Frost 3 1 0 1 $14,457 33% 2 67%
21 Otto   Draper 3 1 0 0 $13,800 33% 1 33%
22 Paul E. Holthus 2 1 1 0 $13,600 50% 2 100%
24 Chris   Richard 6 1 0 0 $13,166 17% 1 17%
27 Jesse   Mullins 2 1 0 0 $11,350 50% 1 50%
29 Aaron   Shorter 2 1 0 0 $10,270 50% 1 50%

Jockey Standings

Rank Jockey Name Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Total $ Win% Top3 Top3%
1 Norberto   Arroyo, Jr. 13 6 0 2 $123,871 46% 8 62%
4 Jon Kenton Court 15 3 3 2 $66,764 20% 8 53%
10 David   Mello 11 3 0 0 $36,148 27% 3 27%
2 Ricardo   Santana, Jr. 14 2 2 0 $112,397 14% 4 29%
3 Calvin H. Borel 12 2 2 0 $110,621 17% 4 33%
6 Channing   Hill 10 2 0 1 $53,147 20% 3 30%
13 Ken S. Tohill 3 2 0 1 $28,100 67% 3 100%
15 Shane   Laviolette 5 2 0 0 $22,450 40% 2 40%
5 Terry J. Thompson 14 1 3 1 $55,228 7% 5 36%
7 Eurico Rosa Da Silva 4 1 0 1 $46,405 25% 2 50%
14 Jesus Lopez Castanon 5 1 0 2 $23,892 20% 3 60%
16 Ramon A. Vazquez 5 1 1 0 $21,882 20% 2 40%
18 Alex   Birzer 15 1 0 1 $18,620 7% 2 13%

Preview to Next Week

– Saturday: The Pippin Stakes – Fillies and Mares 4 Year Olds and Upward – 1 1/16th Miles – Purse: $100,000

– Monday: The Smarty Jones Stakes – Three Year Olds – 1 Mile – Purse: $150,000

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