Oaklawn Park

I Spent It shortens up for Bachelor Stakes

Mary Rampellini|Apr 08, 2015

Bayerd finishes second to Subtle Indian in the Gazebo

Coady Photography Bayerd (outside) finishes second to Subtle Indian in the Gazebo last month at Oaklawn.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The $100,000 Bachelor Stakes on the Apple Blossom card Friday at Oaklawn Park is a puzzle begging to be solved. I Spent It is the most accomplished member of the field as the winner of last year’s Grade 2 Saratoga Special, but he will be cutting back to one turn for the six-furlong Bachelor.

Holy Boss brings the best career Beyer Speed Figure into the race by virtue of an optional-claiming score last month at Oaklawn, but he could be pressed by recent stakes winner Subtle Indian, an undefeated horse who breaks to his outside. Bayerd, meanwhile, is a two-time stakes winner who appears to be sitting on a big race, while the same could be argued for Hebbronville, the runner-up in last year’s Grade 2 Futurity at Belmont Park.

The Bachelor, which drew a field of seven 3-year-olds, continues the Racing Festival of the South. The series features stakes action on each of the cards making up the final week of the meet, which closes Saturday with the Arkansas Derby.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Bayerd (Last 3 Beyers: 83-64-86)

◗ He made a strong run at Subtle Indian in last month’s $98,000 Gazebo at Oaklawn, finishing a half-length behind that undefeated runner March 21. Bayerd was cutting back from 1 1/16 miles for the six-furlong Gazebo and will be making his second straight sprint start Friday.

“He’ll be a little sharper,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Bayerd. “I expect him to be a touch sharper.”

◗ Bayerd is a stakes winner at one turn and two, with his last sprint score coming at six furlongs in the $75,825 Kip Deville at Remington Park. For that effort, he earned a career-high Beyer of 92.

◗ Ramon Vazquez has the mount for Clark Brewster.

Holy Boss (Last 3 Beyers: 94-78-74)

◗ He could go favored following a standout optional-claiming win March 19 at Oaklawn. He led throughout for a five-length win, running back to the promise he showed when he bounded to a 10 1/4-length maiden special weight score last fall that sent him to the Champagne.

“It is what he’s capable of,” Asmussen said of the recent effort from Holy Boss.

I Spent It (Last 3 Beyers: 71-59-78)

◗ He started his season in a one-mile, conditioned allowance March 18 at Oaklawn. He did not get away from the gate well, moved up to push the pace, then finished sixth in what was his first start at two turns, his first against older rivals, and his first since October.

◗ John Velazquez has the mount for trainer Tony Dutrow.