Bricklin to go in Arkansas Derby or Hot Springs Stakes
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Bricklin, who ran third in the Sunland Derby, has a pair of upcoming race options at Oaklawn Park, according to his trainer, Rudy Brisset. The horse won a first-level allowance at a mile at Oaklawn before heading to New Mexico for the Sunland Derby.
Brisset said Bricklin is possible for either the Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby on March 28 or the $200,000 Hot Springs, which is a one-mile race for 3-year-olds on March 26.
“We haven’t really made a final decision on that,” said Brisset, who is weighing options with owner Imagine Racing.
“The horse has been training well. He’s been breezing well. He came out of his race in Sunland in good shape. We kind of got caught four, five all the way around at Sunland. He made his run.”
Brisset on Saturday will start the Oaklawn-based Clocker Special in the Virginia Derby.
Nu What’s New to Mile
Nu What’s New, who ran second to Magnitude in the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn, is scheduled to make his next start in the Grade 3, $500,000 Oaklawn Mile, according to his trainer, Jimmy DiVito.
Nu What’s New won a maiden special weight at a mile in December at Oaklawn, with a Beyer Speed Figure of 101. One start later, he captured a first-level allowance route at the track, with a 103 Beyer.
◗ Pat Pope has been named the Thoroughbred racing secretary for the Prairie Meadows meet that starts May 2, the Iowa track announced. He is the longtime racing secretary at Oaklawn, which runs from December to early May. Pope has previously worked at both tracks.
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