Junior College upsets 3-5 Semaphore Man

Junior College overtook 3-5 favorite Semaphore Man in the stretch to win the $50,000 Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park by three-quarters of a length. Semaphore Man held second, 2 1/2 lengths in front of third-place finisher Four Sevens.

Junior College ($21) sat in third early in the six-furlong race, about 1 1/2 lengths off Reigning Court, who ran the opening quarter in 21.52 seconds while pressed by Semaphore Man. The two pacesetters continued to battle on the front end through a half-mile in 44.41. Junior College moved even with the leaders at the quarter pole, and went on through the stretch, covering the distance over a fast track in 1:10.05.

John Jacinto rode Junior College for trainer Tony Reinstedler.

Junior College, a 5-year-old gelding, earned $30,000 for the win, which was his seventh from 13 career starts. He now has career earnings of $194,240.

Reinstedler said Junior College, who is now 3 for 3 at Oaklawn, could make his next start in the Grade 3, $150,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap locally on April 13.