Oaklawn Report #13

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