Edgeway might return to site of fast debut win

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Edgeway, who was arguably the most impressive debut winner of the Oaklawn meet in 2020, could make an appearance at Oaklawn this season, said John Sadler, the Southern California-based trainer who has a division at Oaklawn.

Edgeway popped a Beyer Speed Figure of 94 when she won a maiden special weight sprint for 3-year-old fillies last February at Oaklawn. The daughter of Competitive Edge rolled by five lengths while covering six furlongs in 1:09.

:: Want to get your Past Performances for free? Click to learn more.

Edgeway ran third to the talented Kamari in last year’s Purple Martin at Oaklawn. She later won an allowance at the track before going on to run second in the Grade 3 Dogwood at Churchill Downs.

“She’s going to be a good filly,” Sadler said. “We’ll be eyeing both places with her, Santa Anita and Oaklawn.”

Edgeway races for California-based Hronis Racing, which finished second in last year’s owner standings at Oaklawn. Hronis again has horses at Oaklawn and will be active in several divisions, Sadler said.

“They’ve got a nice mix again this year – a lot of interesting horses,” Sadler said.

Grade 1 winner Combatant was to run in the Fifth Season on Saturday for Hronis Racing and is a candidate for the Grade 2, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap, Sadler said.

Grade 2 winner Flagstaff, which Hronis Racing owns in partnership with Lane’s End Racing, is being nominated to the King Cotton at Oaklawn.

:: Start earning weekly cashback on your wagering today. Click to learn more.

The barn also has some promising 3-year-olds, some of which could invade from Southern California.

Sadler sent a division to Oaklawn for the first time last year and said he has about 20 horses settled in right now for the meet, which opened Friday. He said the division includes a few Arkansas-breds for owners based in the Midwest.

“Racing is going to thrive where they have sensible regulations and good purses, and Oaklawn checks both of those boxes,” Sadler said.

Up until last year, Sadler had simply shipped into Oaklawn for a handful of stakes races. He’s won both the track’s Grade 1 offerings, the Arkansas Derby with Line of David and the Apple Blossom with Stellar Wind.