Oaklawn Report #8: Subtle Indian Speeds to Victory in the Hot Springs Stakes

Three Stars of the Week

– 1st Star: SUBTLE INDIAN – When it comes to early speed there is no matching this horse!  Once again Subtle Indian rushed to the lead in Saturday’s Hot Springs Stakes, and once again nobody could catch him.  The win is his third straight at Oaklawn Park, and sets him up perfectly for a shot at the Grade 3 Count Fleet Stakes to round out the meet during the Racing Festival of the South.  His win also continues another crazy streak…in all of his races he has either won or finished dead last.  The way he’s running now I don’t believe finishing dead last will be a problem, as trainer Robertino Diodoro has this horse running great.

– 2nd Star: REGALLY READY – At the age of nine Regally Ready is running about as well as he’s ever ran!  Saturday’s race was an example of just that as he basically toyed with an allowance field winning by five lengths.  His early speed was his biggest advantage in the race as he stalked the pace setting Texas Bling, and put him away with ease when it mattered most while sprinting away from everyone else.  It’s amazing how versatile and sound this horse has been over the years.  He can win going two turns on the dirt as well as 5 furlongs on the turf.  That is not something you see very often!

– 3rd Star: WABEL – After basically for lack of a better term “hanging” in his two prior Oaklawn Park starts this meeting Wabel had become a frustrating horse to bet.  Saturday certainly changed all of that in a big time way!  He was entered back in a tough 6 furlong sprint allowance against several solid horses, but absolutely destroyed the field by over five lengths.  After stalking Ray’swarrior for most of the race Webel went to work at the top of the stretch and unlike his first two efforts of the year he put the horse away with complete ease.  His final six furlong time was faster than Subtle Indian’s final time in the Hot Springs Stakes.  Perhaps a stakes race might be next for him.

Flop of the Week

– TWIRLING CINNAMON – Went off as the favorite in a nice Saturday allowance race for three year olds, but set way to fast of pace and faded badly down the stretch.  This horse has been a bit of a letdown all year, and this race did him no favors in turning that around.

Preview to Next Week

• Saturday March 12th – $200,000 Honeybee Stakes (Grade 3) – 3 Year Old Fillies – 1 1/16th miles