Brill back from layoff in optional-claiming sprint

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Brill, a promising daughter of Medaglia d’Oro based in Southern California, has turned up in Friday’s seventh race at Oaklawn. The optional $50,000 claiming sprint for 3-year-old fillies that carries entry-level allowance conditions will serve as her first start since finishing third to Bellafina in the Grade 1 Chandelier on Sept. 29 at Santa Anita.

Brill, a $1 million yearling purchase at a Fasig-Tipton auction in Kentucky, launched her career last July with an impressive win at Del Mar. She proceeded to run fourth to Bellafina in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante before making her two-turn debut last out in the Chandelier.

For her return Friday, Brill has turned in some sharp works. They include six furlongs in 1:11.20 on March 11 at Los Alamitos. Florent Geroux, who was aboard in the Chandelier, has the mount from post 6 for OXO Equine and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

The card also includes an optional $62,500 claiming route over 1 1/16 miles led by Fair Grounds shipper Mighty Manfred, Grade 3 winner Colonelsdarktemper, and stakes winners Lone Rock and Forevamo.

Court to ride Gray Attempt

Jockey Jon Court will be aboard Gray Attempt when the multiple stakes winner runs in the $125,000 Gazebo at Oaklawn, trainer Jinks Fires said Tuesday. The six-furlong race is Saturday.

Shaun Bridgmohan has ridden Gray Attempt in all of his starts, but Fires said the rider is recovering from a broken collarbone.

Fires said the Gazebo is a stepping-stone to the Arkansas Derby for Gray Attempt.

Court on Saturday won a division of the Grade 2, $750,000 Rebel aboard Long Range Toddy.

The Gazebo will share a card with the $100,000 Nodouble for Arkansas-breds. Hoonani Road is on deck for the Nodouble, owner Jerry Caroom and trainer Wayne Catalano said Sunday.

◗ Warrior’s Club is headed for the Grade 3, $250,000 Commonwealth on April 6, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Tuesday. The horse was second, beaten a half-length, in a one-mile allowance March 3 at Oaklawn, earning a 90 Beyer.

“He ran a good one,” Lukas said. “For a comeback race, it was pretty good. He’ll be one of the ones in the Commonwealth again.”

Owned by the Churchill Downs Racing Club, Warrior’s Club won the race last year.