Subtle Indian Goes Gate to Wire in $100,000 Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park

Hot Springs, Ark. (Saturday, March 5, 2016) – Mercedes Stables’ Subtle Indian increased his win streak to three and put himself in position for a top billing in the $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) April 10 with a gate to wire victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Hot Springs Stakes.

Ridden by jockey Ramon Vazquez, the 3-5 favorite broke on top and quickly gained command through early fractions of :21 3/5 and :44 3/5 for the first half mile. Alsvid, the defending Count Fleet winner, tried to apply some pressure as the horses came in the stretch, but proved no match at the end with Den’s Legacy getting up to nip him by a neck for second. The winner, who won by a full length, completed the six furlongs in 1:09 1/5 over a fast track.

“We were all cheering,” said winning trainer Robertino Diodoro. “It made me a little nervous around the turn when (Chris) Hartman’s horse (Alsvid) put a little pressure on us early, but this horse is just getting better and better. He proved it today again.”

Subtle Indian, who is undefeated this year at Oaklawn after his third straight win, improved his overall record to six wins from eight career starts and has earned $260,300. The Indian Charlie gelding returned $3.40, $3.80 and $2.20.

Bordini, Majestic Ride and Hebbronville completed the order of finish. Ivan Fallunovalot, the morning line favorite, was scratched from the race due to a quarter crack.

Live racing resumes Sunday at Oaklawn with a 1:30 p.m. first post.

Hot Springs Stakes Quotes:
Winning trainer Robertino Diodoro – “We were all cheering. It made me a little nervous around the turn when (Chris) Hartman’s horse (Alsvid) put a little pressure on us early, but this horse is just getting better and better. He proved it today again.

On the $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) April 10 at Oaklawn.

“It’s one step at a time, but that’s definitely the plan. We don’t have any plans of taking him anywhere in the near future.”

Winning jockey Ramon Vazquez – “He’s a nice horse. My instructions were to go to the lead and that’s what we did. He’s so fast. It feels great to get a stakes win with him.”

Jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr., second on Den’s Legacy – “For his first start of the year, he ran well.”

Source: Oaklawn Park