Gray Sky opts for softer spot in optional claimer

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said he gave a passing thought to running Gray Sky in the recent Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park.

In the end, he decided to remain in the overnight ranks with Gray Sky, whom he co-owns, and on Thursday the Grade 3-placed horse will start as one of the top choices in the track’s ninth race.

The first-level allowance for 4-year-olds and up at a mile drew a field of 10, including New Colossus, who is coming off a 10 1/4-length maiden special weight win for trainer Larry Jones, and Shining Knight, a chief contender for trainer Brad Cox.

Gray Sky, who is a son of Tapit and a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Dearest Trickski, was second at this level in his last start Jan. 27 at Oaklawn. He closed from seventh to finish 1 1/2 lengths behind wire-to-wire winner Lenstar, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 84.

“He ran a good number the other day,” Lukas said.

Jon Court has the mount from the rail for Lukas and partners Dennis and Barbara Pohl and Allen Schubert.

The Beyer earned by Gray Sky is the second-best last-race number in the field behind the 93 that New Colossus put up when he set quick fractions and prevailed Feb. 1. New Colossus’s start came at a mile with Calvin Borel aboard. Borel has the mount again on New Colossus for Fox Hill Farm.

Shining Knight invades from Fair Grounds, where he was third by a neck in an optional $17,500 claiming route on Jan. 24. The start was his first at two turns. He is a half-brother to Honorable Duty, a winner of Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap. Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount for Juddmonte Farms.

Also on the card Thursday is an optional $62,500 claiming sprint for 3-year-old fillies that carries first-level allowance conditions. It will be run over six furlongs and has drawn a field of nine led by Carrizo.

Carrizo was a dominant debut winner in September, when she took a maiden special weight by 5 1/2 lengths at Churchill Downs and earned a Beyer of 82. She has made one start since and finished second by a half-length in a first-level allowance Nov. 9 at Churchill. Santana has the mount on the daughter of Paynter for owner Mike Rutherford and trainer Steve Asmussen.

Cox will counter with Peruvian Appeal, who was second in the $57,000 Sandpiper Stakes in December at Tampa Bay Downs. She’s since run fourth at this level at Oaklawn in a race won by Raintree Starlet. Raintree Startlet returned one start later and captured the $100,000 Dixie Belle at Oaklawn.