Dazzling Gem targets Essex Handicap

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Dazzling Gem could be coming home soon.

The horse, who launched his career at Oaklawn Park last season with back-to-back wins, is being pointed to the track’s $250,000 Essex Handicap, trainer Brad Cox said Monday. The 1 1/16-mile race is March 18.

Dazzling Gem, who has been wintering at Fair Grounds, finished third, beaten a half-length, in the Grade 3, $125,000 Mineshaft Handicap last Saturday. For the effort, he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 93.

“I thought he ran a winning race,” Cox said. “He ran really well.

“He likes Oaklawn. He likes the Fair Grounds as well, but I don’t know how much more distance he wants beyond a mile and a sixteenth. The New Orleans Handicap is a mile and an eighth. It’s an option, but Plan A is the Essex.”

Dazzling Gem, who ran fourth in last year’s Arkansas Derby, has made a nice transition from ages 3 to 4, said Cox.

“He’s moved forward,” Cox said, noting that Dazzling Gem put up a career-best 97 Beyer two starts ago when second in the Louisiana Handicap at Fair Grounds.

Dazzling Gem races for Arkansas businessman Steve Landers.

The Essex will share a card with the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles, and Cox said Tiger Moth is a candidate for that race. She was an allowance winner at the distance Jan. 22 at Oaklawn. Cox won last year’s Azeri with Call Pat. Tiger Moth races for John Gunther.

Other upcoming stakes runners for Cox include Benner Island, second in last year’s Arlington-Washington Lassie. Cox said she is pointing to the Grade 3, $200,000 Honeybee for 3-year-old fillies March 11 at Oaklawn. Benner Island races for Shortleaf Stable.