Amoss, Talamo try to continue their roll at Oaklawn

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Long Weekend will attempt to give trainer Tom Amoss and jockey Joe Talamo big back-to-back weekends at Oaklawn Park when he runs in the track’s $90,000 Gazebo on Saturday.

Amoss and Talamo won last Saturday’s Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri with Serengeti Empress and now team up with Long Weekend, who is part of a field of eight for the Gazebo. The six- furlong race for 3-year-olds also drew Grade 1 winner Nucky, comebacking stakes winner Fly to the Bank, and promising locals Little Menace and Marvin.

The purse for Saturday’s race was originally $125,000, but it was reduced as part of an across-the-board cut instituted Saturday in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that has temporarily shut down the casino and attendance to the races.

Bill Walmsley, president of the Arkansas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, said Thursday that horsemen and Oaklawn agreed to reduce purses by about 30 percent to avoid a potential $7 million overpayment of purses if the casino and ontrack attendance are not able to resume prior to the meet closing May 2. If the casino and ontrack operations are able to return, purses will go back to their normal levels, said Walmsley.

Long Weekend enters the Gazebo off an all-star performance in a conditioned allowance at Sam Houston on Feb. 19. He invaded from his Fair Grounds base for the race and set a quick pace over a track rated good before winning off by 6 3/4 lengths. The start was his first since August and his 91 Beyer Figure is the best career number in the Gazebo.

“We’re were looking for a prep – had the Gazebo in mind for him – and by way of circumstances ended up traveling to Houston for it,” Amoss said.

“He ran really well. A lot of the credit goes to Lauren Carlisle, who bought the horse as a 2-year-old in training for the Webber Family. They sent him to me, and I feel fortunate to have him.”

Long Weekend has been flattered since the Sam Houston race as third-place finisher Code Runner came back in his next start to win a conditioned allowance at Sam Houston.

Long Weekend is a son of Majesticperfection and the winning mare Liza Too, who is a half-sister to the multiple Grade 1 winners Paulassilverlining and Dads Cap. Long Weekend was a $225,000 purchase out of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company auction last April.

Long Weekend will break from post 4. This will be just his fourth start. His two victories have come by open lengths and Amoss said with each race he’s learning more about the horse’s preferences.

“I know he’s very athletic, very fast,” Amoss said. “Whether he’s rateable or has to go that way or not [Saturday], I don’t know. We’re just going to see.”

Long Weekend faces other pace rivals, but some are turning back in distance and others are returning from layoffs. Fly to the Bank, winner of last year’s Kip Deville at Remington Park, is doing both, cutting back from a mile for what will be his first start since November.