Innova brings top Beyer to stakes debut in Ozark
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Marty Hurney, a sportswriter who became an executive in the National Football League, makes his racing debut Monday with Innova in the $150,000 Ozark Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
“He’s just gotten into the business,” trainer Michael Stidham said of the new owner. “We just bought him some yearlings. And so this will be his first actual horse running in a race. It’s exciting for him.”
The Ozark is for 3-year-olds over six furlongs. It drew a field of nine and highlights a special Presidents Day card that begins at 12:30 p.m. Central.
Hurney bought into the versatile Innova following his last start, which came Jan. 12 at Fair Grounds. The horse won an off-the-turf allowance sprint that afternoon, one race after finishing second in his turf debut in another allowance sprint in New Orleans.
“When we got him on the grass we had a feeling, based on his pedigree, that he would handle it, and he did,” Stidham said. “He ran really well, so we wanted to run him back [on turf]. When it came off, we just kept him in because he’d broke his maiden on the dirt. He’s just one of those talented-type horses that will handle either surface.”
Innova is by Frosted and his dam, Star Silver, is from the female family of Grade 1 turf winners Memories of Silver and Winter Memories. Star Silver has produced a dirt sprint stakes winner in Good Like Magic and a turf sprint stakes winner in Red Lodge.
Innova earned an 81 Beyer Speed Figure for his win last out, and that’s the best career number in the Ozark. He will start from post 9 under the meet’s leading rider, Cristian Torres.
“Generally, this horse has been pretty forward in his races,” Stidham said. “He tends to break well. We’re hoping from the outside that he can break well enough and get into a stalking spot and go from there.”
Hurney, who is racing as JJE Thoroughbreds LLC, owns Innova in partnership with the horse’s original owner, Monkey Horse LLC. Innova is scheduled to race in Hurney’s silks Monday.
“It’s my understanding he always wanted to be involved in horses,” Stidham said of Hurney. “He used to go the races with his father when he was a kid.”
I Got Game exits the same off-the-turf allowance as Innova. He finished second, one start after a maiden special weight victory at this distance at Oaklawn. Ramon Vazquez has the mount from post 7 for trainer Tom Amoss.
Wildncrazynight made his stakes debut last out in the Renaissance at Oaklawn and was fourth, beaten a half-length, after encountering trouble. Rafael Bejarano has the mount from post 6 for trainer Dan Ward.
Waco will be looking for his third straight win when he starts from the rail. He’s compiled his streak at Oaklawn. Apprentice Tyler Bacon has the mount for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
Hola Joey also has won his last two starts at Oaklawn. Alberto Pusac has the mount from post 3 for trainer Gene Jacquot.
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