Asmussen duo of Cazadero, Jaxon Traveler strong in Gazebo Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Cazadero and Jaxon Traveler lead an accomplished cast of 3-year-olds set to sprint Saturday in the $150,000 Gazebo at Oaklawn Park.

The six-furlong race drew six horses, four of whom are stakes winners.

Cazadero won last year’s Grade 3 Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs, and Jaxon Traveler, who is undefeated in three starts, won the $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Futurity in December at Laurel Park.

“They’re two extremely impressive horses,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains both Cazadero and Jaxon Traveler.

Game Day Play adds further depth to the field as the winner of last year’s $60,000 Clever Trevor at Remington Park. The other stakes winner in the Gazebo is Sir Wellington, who took the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile in December at Fair Grounds.

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The field is completed by Lock Up, a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Sinister Minister, and Dusty Hill, who owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, a 77, for his 12 1/4-length maiden win over Arkansas-breds at Oaklawn.

Cazadero has won 2 of 3 starts. The Gazebo will be his first out since running fifth as the favorite in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on Aug. 7 at Saratoga. Asmussen felt the horse did not handle the surface in New York.

“He didn’t like Saratoga,” he said.

Cazadero is a son of Street Sense and the millionaire mare Wild Gams. He races for his breeder, Stonestreet Stables. Cazadero will break from post 6 under Ricardo Santana Jr. and could get an ideal tracking trip off the speed.

Jaxon Traveler will be shortening up from seven-eighths for his first start at 3.

“I do like the three-quarters for him,” Asmussen said.

Jaxon Traveler is a two-time winner at six furlongs, both over open company in Maryland. Asmussen said the horse has come to Oaklawn because suitable options for him were limited elsewhere due to the young horse’s record of three wins. He’s the only three-time winner in the Gazebo.

Franciso Arrieta has the mount on Jaxon Traveler, a front-running son of Munnings who will break from post 4 for West Point Thoroughbreds and Marvin Delfiner.

Game Day Play enters off a runner-up finish in a first-level allowance over 5 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 12 at Fair Grounds. He earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 76.

“I thought he ran really good,” trainer Bret Calhoun said. “I thought it was a little bit short for him. It seems like he’s just figuring it out – even though he’s won a stakes. I thought this last race was one of his best. He’s really finally figuring things out. He put his head down and ran and finished up well.”

Ramon Vazquez has the mount from post 5 for Tom Durant.