Oaklawn Report #1

Three Stars of the Week

– 1st Star: Carve (KY) – What a great performance to kick off his 2015 campaign!  Carve’s win in the Fifth Season was dominate, and him and allowance winner Ride On Curlin have stamped themselves as horses that will be tough to beat at Oaklawn Park this meet.  Carve had a solid year in 2014, but this race is a sign that perhaps he’s ready to take it to the next level this year.  Oaklawn has done well at defending it’s home turf in the older male division when the Racing Festival of the South rolls around, and they are looking solid again this year.

– 2nd Star: Far Right (KY) – The first step on the road to the Arkansas Derby was taken by the home team!  Trainer Ron Moquett has been running horses in Hot Springs for years, and on Monday he captured the Smarty Jones with the late running Far Right.  Mike Smith gave a great ride as he sent Far Right up the rail to win by over a length in last to first fashion.  The late closer will only get better with distance, but the races will only get tougher from here on out.  Regardless, this is an exciting prospect for Oaklawn.

– 3rd Star: Mufajaah (KY) – She was spotted perfectly to pick up her first stakes victory, and she ran a monster race to take the Pippin Stakes by open lengths.  Before the race it was thought that Don’t Tell Sophia was easily the top older mare on the grounds, and she probably still is, but at least we have a challenger for her in Mufajaah.  The waters get deep from here on out, but this is a nice prospect.

Flop of the Week

– Spring in the Air (ON) – Last as the favorite in the Pippin is probably not what they had in mind for this one on opening weekend.  It was a total non-effort for Sping in the Air…more than likely just a race they’ll throw out and forget about.