Joy Boy, Bootsy's Girl score big wins for Gorder barn

Trainer Kellyn Gorder had a productive week at Oaklawn, with Joy Boy and Bootsy’s Girl both positioning themselves for potential stakes starts off powerful wins. On Sunday, Joy Boy captured a $62,500 optional claimer that drew a handful of stakes winners. He led throughout for his second straight win at the level, earning a 97 Beyer.

“I thought it was a really, really good effort,” Gorder said. “The horse has gotten really good. After his last race at Churchill, we sent him back to the farm of his owner, Kevin Hulse, and gave him 30 days of turnout [to] let him be a horse for a little bit. He came back really good, really seemed like he enjoyed the time off.”

Gorder said an option for Joy Boy is the Grade 3, $250,000 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn on March 14.

Bootsy’s Girl dominated a maiden special weight race at 1 1/16 miles, winning by 9 3/4 lengths. She is a 3-year-old by Summer Bird.

“As impressive as she was the other day, you have to think about looking at some stakes, at least nominating,” said Gorder, who said an option for Bootsy’s Girl is the Grade 3, $150,000 Honeybee at Oaklawn on March 7.

“When we got here to Oaklawn, it seemed like she really started to flourish,” he said.

Gorder has a 19-horse division at Oaklawn and has runners in Kentucky and at Tampa Bay Downs. Hashtag Bourbon is a candidate for some of the 3-year-old stakes at Oaklawn and Tampa Bay Downs, he said, while Bourbon Courage is targeting the General George at Laurel and will come under consideration for the Grade 3, $300,000 Count Fleet Sprint at Oaklawn.