The Big Beast eyes Carter, Count Fleet

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Big Beast could make his next start in either the Grade 1, $400,000 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct on April 4 or the Grade 3, $300,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn on April 9, trainer Tony Dutrow said Monday.

The Big Beast, who is stabled at Oaklawn, won his 4-year-old debut at the track March 1. Dutrow said he emerged from the allowance sprint in good order. The Big Beast, who was making his first start since capturing the Grade 1 King’s Bishop at Saratoga in August, earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 97.

Dutrow and owners Alex and JoAnn Lieblong are discussing the race options. The Carter is over seven furlongs, the distance of the King’s Bishop, while the Count Fleet is at six furlongs, the distance over which The Big Beast won March 1.

The Lieblongs are also co-owners of I Spent It, the winner of last year’s Grade 2 Saratoga Special. The horse has been breezing at Oaklawn, and Dutrow said plans are to launch his 3-year-old season in the track’s $100,000 Gazebo at six furlongs March 21. I Spent It also races for Three Chimneys Farm.

Untapable arrives

Untapable, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2014, arrived Monday at Oaklawn Park in advance of the Grade 2, $300,000 Azeri on Saturday. The race will mark the season debut for Untapable, who shipped in from Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Untapable arrived as scheduled at 2:30 p.m. Central. She was bright and alert coming off the van and was handwalked around the shed row at trainer Steve Asmussen’s division at Oaklawn. She was joined on the trip by Tapiture, who is being pointed for the Grade 3, $250,000 Razorback Handicap, also on Saturday at Oaklawn.

Both horses race for Winchell Thoroughbreds.

Tapiture also walked the Asmussen shed row upon his arrival Monday. He, too, was alert coming off the van at Oaklawn.