Oaklawn Report #9

3 Stars of the Week:

-1st Star – Alternation (KY) – Any sports fan will tell you that one of the most important things you can to is win your games at home, and that is exactly was Alternation did this Saturday when he won the Razorback Handicap by two lengths.  Alternation had already dominated the local competition once this season in the Essex Stakes, but in the Razorback he had to take on California shipper Tapizar.  Tapizar came in highly regarded, but was really no match at any time for Alternation.  When the gates opened, Alternation found himself on the lead for the first time in his career, with Tapizar sitting off him in second.  As they turned for home Tapizar came up to challenge, but was put away with ease by Alternation.  The Oaklawn Handicap is next for him as he’ll try to make it three for three to close out the Oaklawn meet.

-2nd Star – On Fire Baby (KY) – After much hype from trainer Gary Hartlage, On Fire Baby showed us her stuff this Saturday.  It’s a shame she ran on the same day as Alternation, because she deserves the number one star.  Amie’s Dini was able to jump out to the lead in the race, while On Fire Baby stalked in second.  As they made the turn Amie’s Dini dug deep and was able to hold off On Fire Baby for much of the stretch before finally getting passed a few lengths before the wire.  On Fire Baby may have stamped herself as the favorite for the Kentucky Oaks, but there are talks that she may be pointed towards a date with the boys in the Kentucky Derby.  Her next start will be here at Oaklawn, in either the Fantasy Stakes or the Arkansas Derby.

-3rd Star – Amie’s Dini (KY) – Even though Amie’s Dini was a clear second in the Honeybee Stakes, there is still plenty to be excited about with this filly.  She proved to be quite a fighter, and was beaten by what could be the best 3-year-old filly in the country in On Fire Baby.  There is more good news for Amie’s Dini as well.  With On Fire Baby toying with the idea of facing the boys in her next start, Amie’s Dini could benefit from that as she is clearly better than all of the other fillies on the grounds.

-Honorable Mentions – Tapizar, Apprehender, Whinston, Picko’s Pride

Biggest Flop of the Week:

– Win Willy (KY) – His last place finish in the Razorback may have been a flop, but the local Oaklawn star had plenty of excuses.  He was making his first start in almost a year, he was bumped hard at the start, and he had very little pace to run into.  Still, this was a disappointing effort.  He’s better than what he showed Saturday, and hopefully he’ll show us that before the meet ends.

Trainer Standings:

Rank	Trainer Name	Starts	1st	2nd	3rd	Earnings	Win%	Top3	Top3%
1	Allen Milligan	109	18	9	14	$341,622	17%	41	38%
2	Steven M. Asmussen	72	17	13	8	$432,017	24%	38	53%
2	Brad H. Cox	54	17	12	8	$274,367	31%	37	69%
4	Steve Hobby	51	13	9	6	$430,546	25%	28	55%
5	Jamie Ness	41	12	10	5	$180,224	29%	27	66%
6	Chris Richard	38	11	3	7	$206,995	29%	21	55%
7	Ron Moquett	76	10	19	3	$297,581	13%	32	42%
7	Joseph R. Martin	54	10	9	10	$271,545	19%	29	54%
7	McLean Robertson	51	10	6	3	$259,071	20%	19	37%
7	W. Bret Calhoun	50	10	4	9	$256,872	20%	23	46%
11	Cody Autrey	45	9	5	7	$133,477	20%	21	47%
12	Donnie K. Von Hemel	57	8	10	4	$338,386	14%	22	39%
12	Ingrid Mason	36	8	6	5	$161,265	22%	19	53%
14	Stanley W. Roberts	62	7	10	4	$176,848	11%	21	34%
14	Richard D. Jackson	42	7	3	7	$130,707	17%	17	40%
14	Timothy E. Martin	65	7	3	9	$127,506	11%	19	29%

Jockey Standings:

Rank	Jockey Name	Starts	1st	2nd	3rd	Earnings	Win%	Top3	Top3%
1	M. Clifton Berry	148	35	22	17	$819,977	24%	74	50%
2	Terry J. Thompson	190	31	20	25	$817,847	16%	76	40%
3	Luis S. Quinonez	129	22	20	15	$690,624	17%	57	44%
3	Alex Birzer	146	22	25	16	$468,990	15%	63	43%
5	Israel Ocampo	122	19	13	16	$484,114	16%	48	39%
6	Alex Cintron	124	17	14	21	$371,333	14%	52	42%
6	Roberto Morales	125	17	8	12	$285,759	14%	37	30%
8	Lindey Wade	128	15	13	18	$398,421	12%	46	36%
9	Ramon A. Vazquez	99	14	14	11	$342,578	14%	39	39%
10	David Mello	118	12	13	11	$274,435	10%	36	31%
11	Joe M. Johnson	69	11	8	11	$296,103	16%	30	43%
12	Jon Kenton Court	108	10	12	11	$417,168	9%	33	31%
12	Channing Hill	81	10	8	11	$362,635	12%	29	36%
12	Carlos H. Marquez, Jr.	80	10	15	10	$336,968	13%	35	44%
15	Alex Canchari	107	9	6	14	$167,943	8%	29	27%

Preview to Next Week:

-The Rebel Stakes (Grade 2):  For Three Year Olds. 1 and 1/16th mile. Purse $500,000.

Probable Starters: Castaway, Secret Circle, Sabercat, Atigun, Cyber Secret, Scatman, Jake Mo, Reckless Jerry, Adirondack King, Pee H Dee, Najjaar, Majestic Stride, Unbridled’s Note, Optimizer

-The Azeri Stakes (Grade 3):  For four year old fillies and upward. 1 and 1/16th mile.  Purse $150,000.

Probable Starters: Absinthe Minded, Tiz Miz Sue, Joyful Victory