Gentlemen's Bet takes Hot Springs Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Gentlemen’s Bet tracked a quick pace set by Ivan Fallunovalot and went on to a 1 1/4-length win over that one Saturday in the $100,000 Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Ivan Fallunovalot fought on in the stretch and finished 5 1/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Apprehender.

The Hot Springs was the local prep for the Grade 3, $300,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 9. The race will be a consideration for Gentlemen’s Bet, said Ron Moquett.

“I’d love to if it’s what the horse wants,” Moquett said, adding that the decision would be made after discussions with owner Harry Rosenblum.

Gentlemen’s Bet ($12.20) on Saturday settled in second off Ivan Fallunovalot, who cleared the field at the break and proceeded to set fractions of 21.61 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.58 for the half-mile. Gentlemen’s Bet moved to the leader into the stretch and overtook him to cover six furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.67. Gentlemen’s Bet was making his second start since running third in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Ramon Vazquez was aboard Gentlemen’s Bet and also rode him when Gentlemen’s Bet ran third in an optional $50,000 claiming race Feb. 14 at Oaklawn. Rosenblum said last month that Gentlemen’s Bet had been off for a foot issue, among other little issues, and was deliberately given a good deal of time off. He said would love to see Gentlemen’s Bet return to the Breeders’ Cup, with his ideal path there including starts in the Count Fleet at his home track and the Vanderbilt at Saratoga, a race Gentlemen’s Bet was third in back in 2013.

Gentlemen’s Bet earned $60,000 on Saturday. Overall, he has won 6 of 11 starts and $483,200. Gentlemen’s Bet is a 6-year-old horse by Half Ours and was bred in Florida by Juvenal Diaz.