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OAKLAWN PARK NOTEBOOK FEBRUARY 10, 2006 by Mark Weatherton The King Cotton S. turned into "old home week" as seven of the contestants owned at least one win over the track and five were labeled as a "horse for the course." BEAU'S TOWN (Beau Genius) broke alertly then settled into third, stalking the leaders through the first half-mile. Calvin Borel took the eight-year-old four wide as they turned for home, a move that gave them a one-length lead. The Oaklawn crowd's favorite gamely held the lead, reaching the wire with a head to spare. The victory, his sixth in seven starts at the Spa, ran his career winnings to $697,850, the second best ever by an Arkansas-bred trailing only the great Nodouble (*Noholme II). With a similar approach to the winner's strategy, Robby Albarado settled his mount, Stolen Time (Time Bandit), in fourth just behind the eventual winner but was able to save ground by staying inside on the far turn and stretch run. Coming up the rail, the chestnut was gaining with every jump and managed to get into a photo but just missed. Beau's Town was making just his second start since 2004 and gave trainer Cole Norman his first stakes victory of the meet. Norman, who had four of the 10 runners in the field, also got the show with Joe Six Pack (Silver Deputy) and fifth with That Tat (Faltaat). Friday saw a second-level allowance race for three-year-olds at a mile develop as a nice showdown of highly regarded colts whose connections were hoping for a reason to call them "contenders." The primary players were STEPPENWOLFER (Aptitude), sent out by Dan Peitz; Mr. Pinstripe (Yankee Victor), from Steve Hobby; and two from the Bob Holthus string, Kings Challenge (Elusive Quality) off a good race and Rocket Beauty (Cape Canaveral) off a poor effort. Unfortunately it was more letdown than showdown. Steppenwolfer, with Albarado in the irons, simply dominated the race. Away last in the six-horse field, he cruised behind the tightly packed group and moved late on the second turn, sweeping to the lead. He then pulled away quickly, removing any doubt by the sixteenth pole, and should receive consideration for the Southwest S. on President's Day. Rocket Beauty, who assumed the lead after the start, fought hard but was no match, losing by 4 1/2 lengths. He did manage to keep second and was the only other entrant who may be considered to have moved forward. Kings Challenge was just a nose back in third, 5 1/4 lengths clear of the next finisher. Sunday saw the long-awaited return to racing of the Neil Howard trainee MUSIC SCHOOL (A.P. Indy), and he made his three-year-old bow a winning one. Still eligible for an entry-level allowance with only one race on his resume -- a Churchill Downs maiden score last June -- he was expected to dominate the 10 other entrants. He turned in the fastest mile time of the meet (1:39) and appeared to have the race well in control as he lay second at the first call before easily moving to the lead. Only in the very late stages of the race did he seem to have a challenger, Arbuckle Bandit (Service Stripe), who offered a solid last-ditch run, getting within three-quarters of a length at the wire. Music School's performance has certainly earned him a shot at a Kentucky Derby (G1) prep race, but which one is probably more a matter of how he came out of this race and scheduling. The performance of the runner-up, who had to swing outside horses to commence his stretch run, should not be overlooked. Also, it should be noted that he was the only runner in for a price. Both Howard and Arbuckle Bandit's trainer, Michael Stidham, were probably very pleased with their horses' performances. The track took a lot of water Thursday evening and Friday morning and was rated good for both Friday and Saturday, and fast on Sunday. Any type could win, though it played better than it had for early speed (five wire-to-wire winners) and best for stalk-and-pounce types (18 winners). There were six wins by horses closing from off the pace. Luis Quinonez continues out front in the riding title race with eight wins. Borel had a big week (six wins) to fling himself into contention with seven visits to the winner's circle, and Jamie Theriot, Albarado and John McKee have six winners apiece. Apprentice Beverly Burress suffered a mild concussion when she was stepped on after being thrown from her mount in the 6TH race Sunday. However, she is expected to resume riding Thursday. Asmussen still sits atop the conditioners competition with seven wins, Norman has six and Holthus has four. Four trainers have three victories each. On the ninth day, there were winners. The Classix was hit Sunday for the first time this year, with $65,312 going to seven handicappers, each of whom had all six winners. In one of those oddities that I love about racing - the number 2 horse won the first five races on Friday's card. A $2 parlay would have returned $20,724. HORSES TO WATCH Friday (2/3) 7TH - OUTSMOKEN (Smoke Glacken) looked very good in his first try back after nine months on the shelf. The colt fought hard gaining the lead on the turn and breaking away from the field after a set of nice early factions. Even though he had to settle for second, he probably needed this one and should be fit and dangerous next out. 8TH - SOVEREIGN (Unbridled's Song), making his second career start with 11 months between races, won a heated stretch battle over two more seasoned maidens. The roan colt, who was saddled by Jesse Wiggington and sent off at 24-1odds, found himself caught between horses as the trio roared toward the wire. In spite of the unenviable position, he appeared unfazed as he disposed of the challengers. He covered the 1 1/16 miles on a surface rated good in 1:47, which compared very favorably with times posted throughout the day. Saturday (2/4) 4TH - Gary Hartlage sent out CAROLINA FIRST (Maria's Mon) to debut around two turns against older fillies and mares at the distance of 1 1/16 miles. She looked very good, losing by only a head to a filly with a trip over the track and a second-place finish eight days earlier. Carolina First should be a nice play even on the rise in class. 7TH - A strong field of 12 well-bred maiden special weights went postward and two of the first-time starters -- IMPECCABLE (Grand Slam) and LACEWELL (Souvenir Copy) -- made very good first impressions. Lacewell, a Randy Morse trainee, battled past the leader in early stretch and was caught by John Servis' Impeccable in midstretch. The two ran shoulder-to-shoulder until near the wire, with Impeccable edging ahead by three parts of a length at the end. Sunday (2/5) 1ST - Trip handicappers should take a look at RITUAL DANCE (Runaway Groom), who was squeezed back at the start as runners on either side of her broke in front of her. After trailing most of the way, she had to take a five-wide path on the turn to try to get into the race and made up ground smartly but seemed to tire and finished in midpack. Ritual Dance should have a price even on a substantial drop. 3RD - First-time starter ETBAUER'S KITTY (Etbauer) unleashed a big move down the lane and appeared to be on the verge of overtaking the leader when he began lugging in and generally running greenly. He should benefit greatly from the experience and be a real threat next out, especially if he returns against state-breds.
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