Gierkink's review: Top finishers make an impression

Oaks prospect

Llanarmon stamped herself as a contender for the June 15 Woodbine Oaks with a nifty first-level allowance score in the third. In her first race with Lasix, Llanarmon ($5.40) awaited room on the far turn before closing inside under Emma-Jayne Wilson to collar favored Sky America in the late stretch. Llanarmon, who graduated in the Grade 2 Natalma Stakes in September, was eligible for the race because of the “non-winners of two” clause in the conditions. She was the first winner of the meet for trainer Roger Attfield, who may be heating up.

Feature race

Checkered Past ($6.40) made quite an impression in her 4-year-old debut in the second, in which she overcame major traffic problems to prevail by daylight over 7-1 outsider Pure Blue Sky. In a surprisingly flat effort, the winter-raced favorite from Florida, Savvy Hester, lost third by a head to pacemaker Waitinginthewings in the 1 1/16-mile optional claimer.

Olguin doubles up

Jockey Gerry Olguin bookended the card on a pair of 5-2 shots, Saturdayatbernies and Mauna Kea, who broke about five lengths behind the field before closing from 10th to take the nightcap, an Ontario-sired allowance route. Olguin ranks sixth in the standings, with seven wins from 23 mounts.

Horses to watch

Pure Blue Sky
Trainer: Sam DiPasquale
Last race: May 9, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 72

In her first outing in five and a half months, she raced at least four wide throughout a two-turn optional claimer before ending up a clear second. According to Trakus, she ran 81 feet farther than the troubled winner Checkered Past.