It's a Bird the horse of steel in Oaklawn 'Cap

It's a Bird flew home at Oaklawn (Kurtis Coady/Coady Photography)

When longtime turf patron Edmund A. Gann has a runner in the

Oaklawn H. (G2), history suggests it's a proverbial "good thing." Having

enjoyed success in the $500,000 feature with Medaglia d'Oro in 2003 and Peace

Rules in 2004, Gann had the good fortune to have the handy veteran IT'S A BIRD (Birdonthewire)

ready to go for Saturday's nine-furlong renewal. The six-year-old did not

disappoint, strolling to a six-length score as the 2-1 second choice in a field

of seven. It's a Bird returned $6, $3.60 and $3 while completing the distance over

a fast track in 1:48 4/5.

Under Julien Leparoux, It's a Bird was at the throatlatch of Jonesboro

(Sefapiano) from the start, pressuring that rival into setting a quick pace of

:23 1/5, :46 3/5 and 1:10 3/5. It's a Bird took over rounding the far turn and

was not seriously threatened thereafter as he expanded his lead through the

lane. Runforthedoe (Brz) (Our Emblem), making just his third U.S. start, rallied

for second at 7-1, returning $5.40 and $4.60 and capping the $49 exacta.

Jonesboro was a neck further back in third and paid $5.60 at 15-1. The trifecta

(5-7-6) came back $368.40. Secret Getaway (Skip Away) finished fourth and was

followed under the wire by Prom Shoes (Include), 7-5 favorite Honest Man

(Unbridled's Song) and Catmantoo (Vision and Verse).

While Gann's two prior Oaklawn Handicap winners were conditioned by Bobby

Frankel, It's a Bird is a pupil of Marty Wolfson, who acquired the dark bay last

summer from Todd Pletcher. Under Wolfson's tutelage, It's a Bird has now won

four stakes including the Spend a Buck H. (G3) at Calder in October and the

Sunshine Millions Classic over a graded quality field at Gulfstream Park on

January 24. It's a Bird also owns placings in the Kenny Noe Jr. H. (G3) in

December and the New Orleans H. (G2) in his most recent start. With this triumph

his record improved to 29-10-4-2, and he becomes racing's newest millionaire

with a bankroll of $1,172,885.