Oaklawn Report #7

3 Stars of the Week:

-1st Star – Comedero (AR) – It was Arkansas bred week at Oaklawn, and the best Arkansas bred running in the states made a big return to the races Saturday. Comedero, who battled off a serious illness earlier in the year, returned Saturday and dominated the Nodouble Breeders Stakes; winning by three and a half easy lengths. It was the eleventh win of Comedero’s career, including a perfect four for four at Oaklawn. I doubt he’ll ever lose one at Oaklawn, plus Comedero has proven he can go up against open company and win as well. It was great to see him back this Saturday considering how dire his situation was at one point. Hopefully he’ll make one more appearance this year at Oaklawn before facing open company the rest of the season.

-2nd Star – All About Allie (AR) – Comedero wasn’t the only horse winning back to back races on Saturday! All About Allie was victorious in the Downthedustyroad Breeders Stakes for the second time in a row. Explosive Disco hopped out to a five length lead and at one point looked as though she was going to steal the race, but All About Allie ran her down in the stretch run and eased to a three length victory when they hit the wire. Much like Comedero, All About Allie is all most unbeatable against Arkansas breds, but can also win against open company as well. Arkansas is lucky to have these two state bred stars carrying their banner throughout the year.

-3rd Star – Agastache (KY) – On paper Thursdays feature, an allowance for older horses going six furlongs, was supposed to be all about Hamazing Destiny, but Agastache obviously didn’t read the Daily Racing Form that morning. Setting fast early fractions, the old war-horse had every reason to lose, but he wouldn’t let Hamazing Destiny by in the stretch run. Both horses battled through much of the stretch but in the end it was Agastache who put his nose in front at the wire. This race was a prep for the Hot Springs Stakes, and with the win Agastache may wind up in that race.

Biggest Flop of the Week:

– Cornpiper (KY) – Cornpiper was in the same allowance race as Agastache and Hamazing Destiny, and was coming off a very impressive allowance win in his last race. Bet down to the 3-1 second choice, much was expected from Cornpiper. Instead he regressed off that allowance win running a distance sixth, beaten by seven and a half lengths. It looked like your common bounce for Cornpiper so I wouldn’t be too concerned just yet, although I think the Hot Springs Stakes is unlikely at this point now.

Trainer Standings:

Rank	Trainer Name	Starts	1st	2nd	3rd	Earnings	Win%	Top3	Top3%
1	Allen Milligan	85	16	8	12	$297,658	19%	36	42%
2	Brad H. Cox	42	13	9	8	$209,446	31%	30	71%
3	Steven M. Asmussen	53	10	8	8	$243,547	19%	26	49%
3	Chris Richard	30	10	3	4	$176,853	33%	17	57%
5	Ron Moquett	61	9	16	1	$242,451	15%	26	43%
5	Jamie Ness	27	9	4	4	$112,155	33%	17	63%
7	Steve Hobby	36	8	7	6	$278,808	22%	21	58%
7	W. Bret Calhoun	43	8	3	8	$220,864	19%	19	44%
7	McLean Robertson	38	8	4	1	$167,628	21%	13	34%
7	Cody Autrey	38	8	4	6	$114,547	21%	18	47%
11	Donnie K. Von Hemel	48	7	9	4	$250,497	15%	20	42%
11	Joseph R. Martin	40	7	7	7	$181,421	18%	21	53%
11	Ingrid Mason	27	7	4	5	$118,944	26%	16	59%

Jockey Standings:

Rank	Jockey Name	Starts	1st	2nd	3rd	Earnings	Win%	Top3	Top3%
1	Terry J. Thompson	154	27	16	20	$682,988	18%	63	41%
1	M. Clifton Berry	114	27	14	13	$599,381	24%	54	47%
3	Luis S. Quinonez	99	15	17	14	$498,471	15%	46	46%
3	Lindey Wade	104	15	12	12	$357,976	14%	39	38%
3	Alex Birzer	108	15	15	13	$277,608	14%	43	40%
6	Israel Ocampo	92	14	9	13	$382,773	15%	36	39%
7	Alex Cintron	96	12	11	16	$260,375	13%	39	41%
8	Ramon A. Vazquez	68	11	11	5	$236,814	16%	27	40%
8	Roberto Morales	96	11	7	9	$204,434	11%	27	28%
10	David Mello	90	10	10	7	$196,499	11%	27	30%
11	Joe M. Johnson	51	9	6	9	$186,770	18%	24	47%
12	Jon Kenton Court	88	8	8	10	$317,283	9%	26	30%
13	Channing Hill	66	7	7	8	$259,675	11%	22	33%
13	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	64	7	11	3	$134,389	11%	21	33%
13	Inosencio Diego	53	7	5	6	$129,260	13%	18	34%
13	Martin Escobar	57	7	5	5	$107,278	12%	17	30%