Street Strategy Takes Fifth Season Stakes at Oaklawn Park

Hot Springs, Ark. (Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016) – Randy Patterson’s Street Strategy had always looked like a stakes winner, but a black-type win had eluded him until Saturday when he got up in the final jump to win the $100,000 Fifth Season Stakes by a head before an estimated on-track crowd of 18,500.

The win was particularly satisfying for trainer Randy Morse because Street Strategy had been fighting a foot bruise since a Jan. 6 work and it marked the first win since Patterson purchased the horse prior to last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile from the estate of Dave Clark, Morse’s long-time owner who died last year.”

“Luckily, it was a minor deal,” said Morse. “In a couple of days, he was good, but we were still on the fence whether to run him or not. Luckily, we did.”

Ridden for the first time by jockey C.J. McMahon, Street Strategy settled into third place behind favorite Departing and Ecleto Red, who led the field through fractions of :23 4/5 and :48 1/5 for the first half mile. The early leader was still in front after six furlongs in 1:13, but soon gave way to the 9-5 favorite and Street Strategy, who dueled to the wire. The winner completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 3/5 over a fast track.

“I didn’t know until we got to the wire,” said Morse. “It was pretty close.”

Raagheb made a modest rally to get third. He was followed by Ecleto Red, Incremental, Natchez, Springboard, Smack Smack, The Truth or Else, Luv Bandit and Lahshad.

Street Strategy, a 5-year-old Street Sense horse, improved his record to 6-1-1 in 11 career starts and has now earned $282,820. He returned $7.00, $3.40 and $3.20 as the 5-2 second choice.

Live racing resumes Sunday with a 1:30 p.m. first post. The nine-race card is highlighted by the $100,000 Pippin Stakes for older fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles.

Fifth Season Quotes:
Winning Trainer Randy Morse, Street Strategy

Street Strategy had been pointing for Fifth Season since December, but status was questionable after coming out of a 6F work Jan. 6 with a foot bruise.

“Luckily, it was a minor deal. In a couple of days, he was good But we were still on the fence whether to run him or not. But, luckily, we did.”

On the close finish:

“I didn’t know until we got to the wire. It was pretty close.”

Street Strategy was making his first start for owner Randy Patterson following the death of the horse’s original owner, Dave Clark of Little Rock, Ark., in October.

Winning Jockey C.J. McMahon, Street Strategy – “It’s my first stakes win of the year and first win at Oaklawn. I truly thank God for this. It’s truly a blessing. The past few months have been awesome. I have to thank God for everything. I couldn’t ask for any more. Mr. Randy told me he should break good and wherever he feels comfortable just leave him be and when it’s time to go, you call on him and he’ll give you everything. I’m thankful for the chance to ride this horse and get the opportunity.”

Jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr., second on Departing – “He ran well, but he got a little tired at the end. He tried hard. I think he needed that race and will be alright down the road.”

Source: Oaklawn Park