Oaklawn Report #5: Suddenbreakingnews Steals the Headlines

Three Stars of the Week

– 1st Star: SUDDENBREAKINGNEWS – How good was this years running of the Southwest Stakes?? So good that I still am shaking my head in disbelief over it, and I’ve watched the replay at least 20 times!  After falling more than fifteen lengths behind in the backstretch Suddenbreakingnews was just an afterthought….and even when turning for home Suddenbreakingnews was still in the back of the pack.  Halfway down the stretch the Ron Moquett trained Whitmore looked like he was going to be a clear winner, but then on the outside out of nowhere Suddenbreakingnews came FLYING down the stretch and passed all of them like they were standing still to win by almost three lengths!  Anytime a horse wins a race in that fashion it’s exciting, but even more so when it’s in a big race like the Southwest.  Who knows if this horse can do it again, but if he can he is now a prime time contender for the Kentucky Derby!

– 2nd Star: CALL PAT – If you bet on Call Pat to win the Bayakoa Stakes you were probably a bit panicked at the top of the stretch as she was dead last, but the classy mare kept to task and was able to catch the speed of the race in Streamline and Meshell.  Call Pat continues to improve under trainer Brad Cox, and might be ready to try graded stakes company again in the Azeri Stakes next time out.  Her running style will always make bettors nervous, but you can bet she’ll always coming running at the end.

– 3rd Star: DAZZLNG GEM – Suddenbreakingnews wasn’t the only three year old colt making headlines this weekend at Oaklawn!  Dazzling Gem was fresh off a debut maiden victory and was ready to take the next step up in class on Saturday in a tough first level allowance race.  After stalking the pace the entire way, Dazzling Gem made his move on a “loose on the lead” Gray Sky, and passed him with relative ease to win by two lengths.  The win was visually very impressive, and will most likely springboard him to the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes next time out.

Flop of the Week

– SARAH SIS – She went off as the heavy favorite in Sunday’s Bayakoa Stakes, but was never really involved much and finished fourth beaten nine lengths.  The mile and one sixteenth distance just may not be what this horse wants to do as all of her one turn races have been really solid.

Preview to Next Week

• Saturday February 20th – $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes, fillies and mares 4 year olds and upward – 6 furlongs