Classify to try stakes next

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Classify, the winningest horse of the Oaklawn meet with three victories here since January, will likely move into stakes company for her next start, said her trainer, Steve Asmussen. A 3-year-old filly, Classify has not lost at the meet, winning her maiden here Jan.o21, a $75,000 optional claimer on Feb. 15, and a $100,000 optional claimer on March 11.

"Her last races were a little closer together than I was hoping, and she came through," Asmussen said. "She's just carrying that momentum. With the last two races kind of on top of each other, we'll give her plenty of time for her next spot, try to scope out the right race for her."

Asmussen said Classify is a candidate for the $50,000 Richland Hills for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs at Lone Star Park on April 28.

"I've got a couple races in mind, and that's one of them," he said.

Classify, a daughter of Unbridled's Song, is out of Classic Olympio, a four-time stakes winner of $336,578. She races for Winchell Thoroughbreds.

Asmussen can win his first Oaklawn title at this meet. He led all trainers here through Thursday, and in addition to the 40 horses on the grounds, he has additional firepower waiting in the wings at the soon-to-close Fair Grounds.

"Horses that won't get in the last week or so there, hopefully we'll get to run them here," said Asmussen.

Asmussen has won with 18 of 72 starters for a 25 percent win rate this meet.

"The horses have run well," he said Friday. "Plaid won a stakes. Sir Five Star won a stakes. Classify is 3 for 3. Things have went well."

Plaid won the $50,000 Pippin Stakes here Feb. 17, and is being pointed for the $100,000 Goddess at Delta Downs on March 31, according to Asmussen. He also said Sir Five Star, who rolled to an 8 1/2-length win in the $50,000 Mountain Valley, is headed next to Evangeline Downs for the $50,000 Inaugural, a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds April 7. For his win in the Mountain Valley, Sir Five Star earned a career-best Beyer Figure of 90.

Front Court to Keeneland?

Front Court, a 3-year-old who overcame trouble to win an allowance over older horses here Wednesday, will likely move into stakes company for his next start, said his trainer, Chris Richard.

"We're going to look at some options for him," he said.

Richard said Front Court could start next in either the $100,000 Lafayette for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs at Keeneland on April 7, or the $100,000 Northern Spur Breeders' Cup at a mile at Oaklawn on April 14.

Front Court won the allowance by a length, and covered six furlongs in 1:11.47.

"He was very impressive in his race," said Richard. "He was stuck behind horses from the turn all the way to the eighth pole, and when he got an opening, he shot through. At this point in the year, to see a 3-year-old really handle older horses like that, I thought was very impressive for him. I'm pretty high on Front Court."

Front Court is a son of Doneraile Court.

Working toward Hot Springs

Semaphore Man worked five furlongs in 1:01.80 on Friday in preparation for the $50,000 Hot Springs Stakes next Saturday. He won the $50,000 King Cotton here in his last start, Feb. 9. Semaphore Man is trained by Kelly Von Hemel.

There will be a new face in the Hot Springs. Junior College, who won an $80,000 optional claiming sprint here March 3 in his first start since October, is being pointed for the race, said his trainer, Tony Reinstedler. He is a two-time sprint stakes winner.

* Jockey Eddie Razo Jr. has been suspended five racing days for a riding infraction, with his days to run from Sunday through March 24. He was third in the rider standings through Thursday.