Oaklawn Notebook

OAKLAWN PARK NOTEBOOK

FEBRUARY 1, 2007

by Mark Weatherton

Nine three-year-old fillies looked to move up the competition ladder in

the six-furlong Dixie Belle S. on Saturday. Early in the week, talk

centered around the

Terry Gestes-trained DEVIL HOUSE (Chester House) and Cat on a Cloud (Smoke Glacken) from

the Ronny Werner shedrow, but the latter was clearly

the crowd favorite by race time and was bet down to 3-2. Devil House slid back in the betting,

going off at almost 5-1. The two broke together and battled nearly wire-to-wire, with Cat

on a Cloud, under Calvin Borel, holding a small lead as he made the

first two calls in :22 and 46 1/5. Devil House then pulled even

and with both in a concerted drive for the wire, it appeared that a head bob

finish was in store until Devil House surged late with Terry

Thompson to win by a half-length. The two are expected to hook up again in the

February 18 Martha Washington S., which will be the first start around two turns

for both.

Time's Mistress (Mr. Greeley) finished about two lengths back in third, just

a neck better than Smart Wildcat (Smart Strike). The third- and fourth-place finishers

could also move up off their performances.

An entry level allowance race for three-year-old colts on Saturday drew

19 entrants. The field was split, with 10 going in the 7TH race and nine in the

9TH. The first two finishers in the first heat, THE HITMAN (Salt Lake) and Front Court (Doneraile Court),

both ran well, and the winning MUCHO GUSTO (Forest Camp) turned in a solid

effort in the second division. All three should move them forward off these

races.

Perhaps more interesting were the disappointing efforts of Pegasus Wind

(Fusaichi Pegasus), Harrow Land (Graeme Hall) and Bones Light (Pikepass). Pegasus Wind, from the D. Wayne Lukas barn, was expected to win the 9TH in a walk

and was bet down to 3-10. After breaking a little sluggish, Borel

was able to move him into a good stalking position and Pegasus Wind had advanced

to second at the half-mile mark, 1 1/2 lengths behind the leader. However, almost as soon as

he got a head up in second, Pegasus Wind started backing up. He wound up finishing

seventh, 20

lengths back of the winner. At last report, his connections still plan to run him in the Southwest

S.

While less dramatic, the 7TH looked like a three-horse showdown between Harrow

Land, the narrow 5-2 favorite, Bones Light at 3-1 choice and The Hitman, who also

went off at 5-2. Harrow Land tracked in second but faded to fourth beaten 5

lengths and losing show money by a neck to Bones Light who never threatened the

leader. The Hitman seized command on the far turn, eventually winning by three

parts of a length.

The victories are really spread around among the riders. Borel narrowly leads

the standings with six wins, and four jocks (Eddie Razo Jr, Luis Quinonez, John Jacinto and Thompson) have

all won five races. Four jockeys are tied for six with four wins apiece.

The conditioners are equally bunched. Steve Asmussen leads the pack with five wins, and Lukas and Steve Hobby have saddled 4 winners each. Four other

trainers have led over three 3 winners.

The track has been playing fairly, with all types of running styles

winning through most of the week. However, the light rain that fell during the racing Sunday seemed to

slow the track a bit and produced a flurry of winners who ran on or very near

the lead throughout.

Owner Rick Porter announced that Hard Spun (Danzig) will stay at Oaklawn Park

for the Southwest on President's Day, February 19. They had given

serious consideration to running in the February 10 Risen Star S. (G3) at the Fairgrounds, but

changed back to their original program after Hard Spun came up with a slight

cough that delayed his training a little.

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (1/25)

1ST - EXPLOSIVE KING (Explosive Ridge), a five-year-old making only his third

start, offered a very strong finish to miss winning by a half-length as 5 1/2 furlongs

proved to be not enough ground for the chestnut.

9TH - MISS BARRETT ROAD (Fast Play), a first-time starter for Morris Nicks,

rated well and seemed poised to pounce, but couldn't find room on the inside and

wound up being

caught behind horses. She had to wait too long before finding room, eventually

finishing fourth, and should move forward off this maiden voyage.

Friday (1/26)

5TH - First-time starter COURSE (Certain) battled head to head for the lead

in a state-bred maiden special weight, but the speed duel set up a

closer for the win. Course established very quick early fractions, getting a half mile in

:46 2/5, and he impressively battled back after losing his lead early in the

stretch, dead-heating for the

place. He could be trouble for the Arkie-breds later in the meet.

6TH - KID MAJIC (Lemon Drop Kid) rated off the pace in midpack until late

and after experiencing some minor problems getting clear, came running late, making up

four to five lengths in the final yards. She appears to improve with each outing and

should still be a factor moving up in class.

Saturday (1/27)

2ND - After three straight second place finishes to start her career, SKI RACE

(Appealing Skier) broke slowly and took a while to get in the running, but she was

very determined down the final straight as she steadily closed the gap to get

up by a nose. With a good break

from the gate, she will continue to be tough.

4TH - STRONG CITY (Runaway Groom) was last through three-quarters of a mile

but came

running at the finish to just miss the place money. An inside ground

saving trip had him in position, but he was moved outside around the two

leaders, probably cost him a position. He appeared very strong at the end

and was moving best of all. This was only his third start and the sophomore should

continue to improve.

5TH - Grant Forster's lightly raced BROTHER BOBBY (Out Of Place), a five-year-old gelding, turned in the fastest mile of the young

meet by almost two full seconds. Making his sixth career start, the chestnut separated himself from the field

as he covered

the last furlong in :12 1/5 seconds while under a hand ride by Stewart

Elliott.

7TH - Front Court turned in a very strong performance

against a solid group of three-year-olds, several of whom have aspirations of

better things down the road. His performance may get overlooked, and he could

provide good value next time.

Sunday (1/28)

7TH - On a day when winners were on or with the lead from the start, NIGHT BOOK

(Notebook) deserves extra credit as the dark brown gelding did all of his

running late to break his maiden.