Express Train in career form for Oaklawn Handicap

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Express Train is starting to establish himself as an older horse of significance and on Saturday he will seek to continue his ascent in the division in the Grade 2, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap.

The mile and an eighth race shares a card with the Grade 1, $1 million Apple Blossom, which has lured champions Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver. The stakes close out the $4.9 million Racing Festival of the South, a series of eight major races that have been spread out over the first three Saturdays in April.

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The Oaklawn Handicap goes as the ninth on a 12-race card that has a special first post of noon Central. The field of eight includes Fearless, who invades from South Florida off a Grade 2 win in the Gulfstream Park Mile; Warrior’s Charge, the runner-up in last year’s Oaklawn Handicap; Owendale and Rated R Superstar, who have both earned more than $1 million; and Silver State, who is seeking his fifth consecutive win.

Express Train flew in Tuesday for his first start outside of Southern California and has settled in well, according to trainer John Shirreffs. The horse is the 122-pound highweight and will spot his rivals from three to eight pounds.

The 4-year-old Express Train last raced March 6, finishing second to Idol by a half-length in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap.

“I thought he ran really well, ran a very good race,” Shirreffs said. “Unfortunately, he got caught.”

Express Train will be turning back from the 1 1/4 miles of the Santa Anita Handicap to 1 1/8 miles.

“I think it’s fine,” Shirreffs said. “He ran a mile and an eighth the time before the Santa Anita Handicap, so it fits us good.”

Shirreffs was referring to the Grade 2 San Pasqual in January at Santa Anita. Express Train won by 3 1/4 lengths and earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 103.

Express Train on Saturday will break from post 2 under regular rider Juan Hernandez, who has the mount for C R K Stables.

“He’ll be on or near the lead,” said Shirreffs.

Silver State began his streak in a pair of seven-furlong races last fall in Kentucky. He then came to Oaklawn and won the Fifth Season at a mile in January and the $500,000 Essex over a mile and a sixteenth in March. He is seeking his first win at a mile and an eighth Saturday.

“He’s matured and settled,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “He handled beautifully in the Essex, and got up. He’s giving himself the chances to get it done.”

Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount from the rail for Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing.

Owendale dueled throughout the Grade 2 New Orleans Classic in his last start March 20 and finished second by a head in the mile and an eighth race at Fair Grounds.

“He ran probably too good to lose,” said trainer Brad Cox. “He ran a fantastic race.”

Owendale has made one other start this year, finishing third in the Grade 3 Razorback on a sloppy track in February at Oaklawn.

“He had the one run at Oaklawn and I don’t think that was really his surface,” Cox said. “He was down inside that day. We’re hopeful the mile and an eighth will be better for him, as opposed to the mile and a sixteenth two starts back. Hopefully, he can get a good trip and a good setup.”

Warrior’s Charge launched his season with a second by a half-length in a mile allowance in March at Oaklawn.

“He ran great in this race last year,” Cox said. “This will be his second race off the layoff. He’s doing great.”

Warrior’s Charge will start from post 4.

“He’s forward, very forwardly placed,” said Cox.

Fearless has been flattered since his win in the Gulfstream Park Mile on Feb. 27, with fourth-place finisher Eye of a Jedi returning in his next start to capture the Grade 3 Ghostzapper at Gulfstream with a Beyer of 100. Fearless is moving back to two turns for what will be his second start since June. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Fearless and Express Train will both be back on Lasix after racing without the diuretic because of stakes protocols at Gulfstream and Santa Anita.

The field is completed by Grade 2 winner Silver Prospector, who exits a runner-up finish to Mystic Guide in the Razorback, and Grade 3 winner Guest Suite.