Hoonani Road stays perfect at Oaklawn with Rainbow win

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Hoonani Road remained perfect in three career starts Friday at Oaklawn, where he darted to a 2 3/4-length win over Spanish Avenue in the $100,000 Rainbow Stakes.

It was another 5 1/2 lengths back to Zack Ridge Road in third.

The Rainbow was a six-furlong stakes restricted to 3-year-olds bred in Arkansas. The race complemented the Friday night awards banquet put on by the Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Horsemen’s Association.

Hoonani Road ($2.80) moved to the lead easily after the start under regular rider Channing Hill and proceeded to set fractions of 22.60 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.80 for the half-mile, withstanding pressure from Spanish Avenue. Hoonani Road had more through the stretch and covered the distance on a fast track in 1:11.37.

“He did his job today, he really did,” winning trainer Wayne Catalano said. “He looked like he had the speed and he looked like he had the talent. Obviously, everything had to go right.”

Hoonani Road took full advantage of the Arkansas-bred program this meet at Oaklawn. He won his debut in a $20,000 maiden claiming Feb. 10, then captured a first-level allowance worth $79,000 on March 16. Hoonani Road defeated older horses in both of those races. Catalano said a break is now in order for Hoonani Road.

“We’re going to give him a vacation,” he said. “He’s done his job. We’ll just freshen him up, probably go on vacation in Kentucky.”

Hoonani Road is a son of Jonesboro who races for Jerry Caroom. He earned $58,200 for his win in the Rainbow to improve his career earnings to $119,400. The horse was bred by Bobby Lee Hall.

“He’s a big, tall good-looking horse,” Catalano said.

* Earlier on the card, first-time starter Checotah paid $135 when she held off a rolling She’s A Lucky One in the fifth race Friday.