Oaklawn Report #2: Haveyougoneaway Upsets Sarah Sis

Three Stars of the Week

– 1st Star: HAVEYOUGONEAWAY – When it comes to consistency this older mare fits the bill, and on Saturday she was able to score the biggest victory of her career in the American Beauty Stakes.  At the top of the stretch front runners Super Saks and Sarah Sis floated well out into the middle of the track, which allowed Haveyougoneaway to sneak up the rail and hold off Sarah Sis down the stretch for a nose victory.  This classy mare now has seven victories to her credit, and two stakes victories overall.  The Oaklawn older filly and mare sprint series will provide her a couple more opportunities to build on her growing resume.

– 2nd Star: CUTACORNER – One of the incredible stories early on at Oaklawn Park this year is the reemergence of legendary trainer Jack Van Berg.  The trainer has three victories so far, but the biggest of them all came Thursday as his three year old colt Cutacorner won an allowance race that had several Kentucky Derby trail hopefuls in the race.  Cutacorner closed late down the lane to pick up the victory and now has thrown his name into the thick of things.  His win also flatters Smarty Jones winner Discreetness, who defeated this horse by a little over a length in the Springboard Mile two races back.  We’ll see if Van Berg can continue his magic.

– 3rd Star: STREET CHIEF – This horse has gotten good in a hurry!  After just running averagely in the beginning of his career, Street Chief has caught fire as of late, and won his 4th in a row against a tough allowance field on Saturday.  Not only did he win this race…but he demolished the field and could have set himself up for a stakes race next time out with this type of performance.  He’s now won races at four different race tracks as well which shows the kind of class this one is developing.  Could be tough to deal with from here on out.

Flop of the Week

– UNEXPLAINED – Believed that this horse had a chance to be a Kentucky Derby contender…but I was very wrong.  After two impressive performances at Churchill Downs as a two year old Unexplained was very disappointing in his three year old debut finishing 4th in an allowance race on Thursday.  Back to the drawing board for him.

Preview to Next Week

• Saturday, Jan. 30 – $100,000 King Cotton Stakes – 4-year-olds & up, 6 furlongs