Oaklawn Report #11

3 Stars of the Week:

-1st Star – City Sage (FL) – When the opening fraction of 21.65 came up on the board in last Saturday’s Hot Springs Stakes, I figured front-runners City Sage and Silver Magnus were surely to be cooked up front.  Silver Magnus faded, but City Sage did not as he put his fellow rivals away, and then held off a furious charge from Our Dark Knight.  It was an utlra impressive performance for City Sage, and one that has to have trainer Kelly Von Hemel smiling about the possibility of running in the Grade 3 Count Fleet as well as some of the sprint races at Prairie Meadows this spring/summer.

-2nd Star – Outta Tune (KY) – As impressive as City Stage was, Outta Tune ran six furlongs on Sunday almost a full second faster than City Sage did.  The final time was also the fastest six furlongs of the Oaklawn meet.  This seven-year old gelding has now put in back to back performances that have been impressive.  This race might have trainer Chris Richard thinking about the Grade 3 Count Fleet too.  One thing to look forward is the fact that both City Sage and Outta Tune are more than likely heading to Prairie Meadows, so if they don’t meet in the Count Fleet, you can still expect them to meet in Iowa.

-3rd Star – Dust and Diamonds (KY) – After two and a half months off, Dust and Diamonds came back sharp on Saturday as she put away the field in a $35,000 Allowance Optional Claimer.  She lead wire to wire, and was never really challenged.  The win might have trainer Steve Asmussen thinking stakes company for her next time out.  She clearly is classy enough to give it a shot.

Biggest Flop of the Week:

–Riley Tucker (KY) – In his last race Riley Tucker put in a huge effort in the King Cotton Stakes, but he just could not duplicate that performance last Saturday in the Hot Springs.  He finished an even fourth, and was never able to threaten.  It looked as though he didn’t care for the rail much, and at the age of seven his last race may have taken a little out of him.  I wouldn’t write him off completely, but they might think about finding him a softer spot for his next race.

Trainer Standings:

Rank	Trainer Name	Starts	1st	2nd	3rd	Earnings	Win%	Top3	Top3%
1	Allen Milligan	133	23	11	16	$465,574	17%	50	38%
2	Steven M. Asmussen	100	22	19	10	$602,493	22%	51	51%
3	Brad H. Cox	70	19	16	10	$334,797	27%	45	64%
4	Joseph R. Martin	73	16	11	15	$381,307	22%	42	58%
4	Jamie Ness	50	16	12	5	$262,493	32%	33	66%
6	Steve Hobby	65	15	9	9	$573,609	23%	33	51%
7	Chris Richard	49	13	4	8	$263,654	27%	25	51%
8	W. Bret Calhoun	57	11	5	9	$296,911	19%	25	44%
9	Donnie K. Von Hemel	66	10	11	5	$439,729	15%	26	39%
9	Ron Moquett	98	10	23	8	$356,037	10%	41	42%
9	McLean Robertson	67	10	8	4	$300,180	15%	22	33%
12	Cody Autrey	50	9	5	9	$139,828	18%	23	46%
13	Ingrid Mason	44	8	8	8	$179,585	18%	24	55%
13	Timothy E. Martin	81	8	4	12	$152,219	10%	24	30%
13	Richard D. Jackson	56	8	4	7	$148,945	14%	19	34%

Jockey Standings:

Rank	Jockey Name	Starts	1st	2nd	3rd	Earnings	Win%	Top3	Top3%
1	M. Clifton Berry	187	42	29	20	$1,017,259	22%	91	49%
2	Terry J. Thompson	225	40	26	27	$1,042,673	18%	93	41%
3	Alex Birzer	183	30	28	21	$618,033	16%	79	43%
4	Luis S. Quinonez	162	27	27	18	$960,779	17%	72	44%
5	Israel Ocampo	148	23	19	20	$594,942	16%	62	42%
6	Lindey Wade	160	19	14	24	$492,902	12%	57	36%
6	Alex Cintron	158	19	17	29	$446,569	12%	65	41%
8	Roberto Morales	147	18	10	12	$320,530	12%	40	27%
9	Ramon A. Vazquez	136	17	16	16	$431,320	13%	49	36%
10	Jon Kenton Court	136	15	18	14	$658,867	11%	47	35%
11	David Mello	153	14	16	13	$342,217	9%	43	28%
12	Carlos H. Marquez, Jr.	88	13	16	10	$382,748	15%	39	44%
13	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	118	12	17	8	$262,232	10%	37	31%
14	Channing Hill	90	11	8	12	$404,977	12%	31	34%
14	Joe M. Johnson	89	11	11	13	$319,221	12%	35	39%
14	Martin Escobar	93	11	8	6	$180,332	12%	25	27%

Preview to Next Week:

The Rainbow.  3-year-old Arkansas Breds. 6 Furlongs. Purse $50,000.

The Rainbow Miss.  3-year-old Arkansas Bred Fillies. 6 Furlongs. Purse $50,000.

The Arkansas Breeders’-Open Division.  3 Year Old Arkansas Breds and Up.  1 and 1/16th mile. Purse $50,000.