Heartwood has options after King Cotton win

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Heartwood, who won the $100,000 King Cotton on Saturday at Oaklawn, is one of the senior members of trainer James Chapman’s stable – and he’s just turned 5.

“We’ve got 25 babies coming up,” Chapman said of the 2-year-olds in his stable.

Heartwood has been teaching them the ropes. He won his third stakes Saturday when fought for a half-length win in the King Cotton. Heartwood was always prominent, covered six furlongs in 1:09.99, and earned a Beyer Figure of 94.

“He seems like he’s getting better with age,” said Chapman, who also owns Heartwood with Stuart Tsujimoto.

Chapman said Monday that Heartwood is back home at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, Ky.

Chapman said Heartwood will either return to Oaklawn for the $150,000 Hot Springs or head to Aqueduct for the Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap. Both six-furlong races are on March 9.