Oaklawn Notebook

OAKLAWN NOTEBOOK

MARCH 7, 2008

by Steve Collison

RAZORBACK HANDICAP

Many stars of Oaklawn racing, topped by the red-hot local hero SPOTSGONE

(Bright Launch), appear primed for Saturday's featured $150,000 Razorback H.

(G3), one of the major events at the Hot Springs oval. The 1 1/16-mile outing is

the final step for local runners preparing for the $500,000 Oaklawn H. (G2) on

April 5 and should offer a solid field of top handicap runners as it has in the

past. Spotsgone, who won the Essex H. earlier in this meet, will once again be

met by his main antagonist, JONESBORO (Sefapiano) as well as the Steve

Asmussen-trained ZANJERO (Cherokee Run). Asmussen will send the 2007 Indiana

Derby (G2) and West Virginia Derby (G3) winner in the Razorback, and the late

runner will benefit from a lively tempo.

DEAD-HEAT FEVER

There's a saying that "half a loaf is better then none," which is a good

thing considering that there was three dead-heats at Oaklawn this past week. One

of those came Saturday in the $50,000 Spring Fever S. as Asmussen's CLASSIFY

(Unbridled's Song) got up in the last jump to dead-heat the pacesetting GINGER

BAY (Golden Missile), who is trained by Anthony Reinstedler, in the 5 1/2

furlong dash for distaffers.

Ginger Bay, making her stakes debut after compiling a 2-2-0 record from five

starts, broke on top under leading rider Eddie Razo and maintained a narrow

early lead until seemingly appearing home free after putting away her early

rivals. But Luis Quinonez had Classify rolling down the center of the track, and

the filly reached Ginger Bay right on the wire. The winners were clocked in 1:03

3/5 over the fast track.

NOTES

Razo continues to dominate the jockey colony with 31 winners and is doing so

by keeping especially hot for several of the stables he rides for. For instance,

while winning at a 24 percent rate overall, he's 8-for-21 with trainer Steve

Hobby and is 7-for 19 with unheralded conditioner Chris Richard. Not

coincidentally, both of these conditioners appear to be picking up steam as the

meet heads for home. For Hobby's part, he's closed the gap in the trainers'

standings to one on Stanley Roberts, who has cooled down considerably since a

sizzling opening month. As anticipated, Asmussen and Cody Autrey have both

caught fire and can be expected to finish up the meet on a strong, positive

note.

TRAINER STANDINGS

Stanley Roberts: 13

Steve Hobby: 12

Wayne Lukas: 11

Jorge Lara: 11

Steve Asmussen: 10

Cody Autrey: 9

TRAINER PROFILE

Like Larry Jones, TIM RITCHEY is a carpetbagger from Delaware Park who began

coming to Oaklawn after getting into a tiff with Fair Grounds about stall space.

And also like Jones, Ritchey brings an extraordinarily well-balanced and

versatile training style with him. After learning his trade at minor league Penn

National in Central Pennsylvania, Ritchey worked his way up the ladder until

training the likes of champion AFLEET ALEX (Northern Afleet), who was the

wunderkind of the 2005 season. Ritchey hasn't forgotten his roots either, which

is one reason he wins at a nearly 30 percent clip with first off the claim

runners. He does so by with a variety of moves, but one that I have found most

profitable over the years is when Ritchey changes distances the first time a

horse runs under his care following a claim. Ritchey also doesn't mind being

aggressive under such circumstances and a runner moving up substantially in

price is just as likely to be successful as one dropping like a rock. And while

it's not an issue here at Oaklawn, which doesn't have a turf course, for all of

his many strengths, Ritchey has never learned to condition a runner to do well

over the grass and only wins a modest 10 percent on turf. He's even worse with

his runners going from turf to dirt, which is another reason he was happy to

leave the Fair Grounds.

RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH

Thursday (2/28)

2ND -- MISS O FOUR (Vision and Verse) has been running in exceptional form of

late but was hindered considerably when forced to race extremely wide here.

Claimed by trainer James Cook from a slumping stable and can do better for

different connections.

Friday (2/29)

1ST -- SO BUSTED (Tiznow) came off the shelf earlier this meet but thus far

has been the victim of own misbehavior and poor rider judgment. Claimed today by

trainer Terry Gestes, the five-year-old gelding can knock out this

non-winners-three conditioned claimer next out, but wouldn't expect much more

once he reaches open company.

Saturday (3/1)

4TH -- ISLAND MAGIC (Proudest Romeo), a modestly bred first-time starter,

turned in a deceptively solid performance especially considering she was never

asked for any serious run. Was claimed by trainer Bruce Riecken and appears to a

have a bright future in the claiming ranks.

5TH -- MR. PINSTRIPE (Yankee Victor) was claimed by trainer Jorge Lara prior

to latest but needed some time off before going for new connections. Appeared

rusty today first time out for Lara but still showed good late run and may

benefit from the much-needed tightener. Unfortunately for Lara, he was claimed

today by Ron Moquett and any future success will come for this a operation.

6TH -- TRIPLE NINE FINE (Maria's Mon) looks to be a late bloomer, and the

underachieving gelding now moves into the barn of hot trainer Autrey. Watch for

a sudden and strong forward move under new management.

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (2/28)

1ST -- BLAZZIN MICKI (Kidd Cat) made her second start off the shelf today and

turned in a solid effort despite being compromised by the early pace scenario.

Also didn't get much help from her bug rider, but now looks to be sitting on a

win against a similar conditioned claiming field.

Friday (2/29)

4TH -- SMOLDERING QUEEN's (Smolderin Heart) odds begged a question: Why is

this filly the odds-on choice? Even though she's trained by Asmussen, the

four-year-old hadn't run in more than a year and wasn't a world beater even

then. She also hadn't been showing much in morning drills, but she was still

pounded by someone at the windows. If it wasn't for a bad start and an eventual

winner who was dropping down from the maiden special weight ranks, Smoldering

Queen would have prevailed. She is clearly a horse that someone knew had gotten

better, and we expect her to earn some redemption next time out, although

admittedly the price will be wanting as the cat's out of the bag.

Saturday (3/1)

1ST -- MOON KID (Lemon Drop Kid) broke slowly going first time off the claim

for hot trainer Richard and was never able to make up ground on a runner who

benefited from soft early fractions.

Sunday (3/2)

1ST -- STRAYED (Captain Collins [Ire]) was making her second start following

a lengthy vacation but was never asked for serious run today. Looks like trainer

Grant Forester was using this starter allowance affair as a springboard to

something else, and we'll pay careful attention as to where the five-year-old

mare lands next.

BEWARE OF THESE

Thursday (2/28)

3RD -- MISS MCFLEET (Northern Afleet) took 19 trips to the post to finally get to the winner's circle

and that was only due to the softness of this maiden field. Even though she won

by daylight, don't expect her to do it again until maybe her 40th start.

Friday (2/29)

2ND -- MIDNIGHT ILLUSION (David Copperfield) cost his

connections just $7,500 and continually keeps coming close at the $40,000 level

while appearing to be over his head. Trainer Bill Fires is slumping right now

and part of the reason is perfectly illustrated with this runner as Fires seems

to have a mental block when it comes to spotting his runners correctly. Although

it isn't the horse's fault, he isn't winning and is giving all he has. His

confidence will soon be shattered with everyone being the loser.