Smoke It Right might get a shot at bigger prizes this meet at Oaklawn Park after remaining undefeated in four career starts in the $60,000 Mountain Valley for 3-year-olds. It was the second stakes win for the horse, whose connections will consider a start in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 16.
For one day at least, Stay Thirsty - a stablemate of juvenile champion Uncle Mo - earned some headlines of his own with a 3 1/4-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.
Left, a two-turn allowance-race winner on Feb. 26 at Fair Grounds, is being pointed to the $1 million Louisiana Derby on March 26.
J P’s Gusto breezed six furlongs in 1:13.60 at Oaklawn Park on Saturday morning in preparation for the Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel Stakes on March 19. He is expected to be part of a large field for the 1 1/16-mile race, which also is expected to include Archarcharch and Elite Alex.
Kentucky Derby prospects Mucho Macho Man and Rogue Romance, first and third finishers two weeks ago in the Grade 2 Risen Star, turned in easy workouts over their home base at Gulfstream Park on Saturday morning.
Dean Reeves, principal owner of Kentucky Derby hopeful Mucho Macho Man, presented injured jockey Eibar Coa a check for $18,000 Thursday night at Memorial East Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Fla. The sum is the equivalent to the winning rider’s share for Mucho Macho Man’s recent victory in the Grade 2 Risen Star at the Fair Grounds.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Albergatti will make his stakes debut in the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes over 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita next Saturday, a key prep to the $1 million Santa Anita Derby next month.
Dialed In, impressive winner of the Holy Bull Stakes, will prep for the Florida Derby in a 1 1/8-mile optional claiming race Sunday against older horses at Gulfstream Park.
Though no horse entered in Saturday’s $250,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct is any more accomplished than his, trainer Graham Motion believes he will learn a lot more about Toby’s Corner when he runs against eight opponents in the Grade 3 stakes for 3-year-olds. One of those opponents is Stay Thirsty, the stablemate of early Derby favorite Uncle Mo.
The $60,000 Mountain Valley for 3-year-olds at six furlongs at Oaklawn Park on Saturday is expected to be a springboard to longer distances for undefeated stakes winners Glint and Smoke It Right. But that is not the case for Trubs, who has been there, done that.
