Knock Em Flat boasts 91 Beyer for Northern Spur
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Knock Em Flat is entered in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, but will instead run on the undercard in the $100,000 Northern Spur, said his trainer, Donnie Von Hemel. The Northern Spur is one of four stakes worth a cumulative $1.8 million on the final card of the meet. The program also includes the Oaklawn Handicap and the Instant Racing.
Knock Em Flat, who was 20-1 on the morning line for the Arkansas Derby, could go favored in the Northern Spur, a one-mile race for 3-year-olds which will end at the sixteenth pole. He won a maiden special weight route in his last start March 27, and the Beyer Speed Figure of 91 that he earned is the best career number in the field Saturday.
“I think each race he’s run here this spring, he’s gotten better,” Von Hemel said. “He really looks like he’s improved through the spring here, and I think it’s shown on the racetrack.”
Knock Em Flat set the pace in the maiden race, then drew clear by 5 3/4 lengths. Von Hemel said he could use different tactics if need be Saturday, when he breaks from post 3 under regular rider Luis Quinonez.
“He’s worked several times off the pace with other horses, and is happy to rate,” Von Hemel said. “So, I don’t think he’s one dimensional at all.”
The field also includes Unstoppable Colby, a gutsy maiden special weight winner at Oaklawn in February who finished fifth to early Kentucky Derby favorite California Chrome in the Grade 2 San Felipe at Santa Anita in his last start March 8.
“He tried to go with him and that probably wasn’t in his best interest,” said D. Wayne Lukas, who trains Unstoppable Colby. “He just scooted out of there. He wasn’t ready for those kinds of fractions, on that particular track. I look for him to run a more even race here.”
Unstoppable Colby will break from post 7.
“I think he’s just off of them,” said Lukas, who has given the mount to Luis Saez.
Sheltowee’s Boy, who was fifth last out in the Grade 2 Rebel, won at a mile this meet.
Jojo Warrior returns
Jojo Warrior, who is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner A Z Warrior, makes her stakes debut in the $100,000 Instant Racing, which is for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs. She is part of a seven-horse field that also includes Street Story, who won the opening-day Dixie Belle at Oaklawn, and Sweetmarys Success, a stakes winner last out at Calder.
Jojo Warrior will be making her first start since taking a maiden special weight sprint at Del Mar last September. She has worked sharply for her return, among her drills five furlongs from the gate in 58.40 seconds April 4. The move was the fastest of 71 at the distance that morning at Santa Anita. Gary Stevens has the mount for trainer Bob Baffert.
The 12-race card starts at 12 p.m. Central. The Arkansas Derby is scheduled to be broadcast on HRTV and TVG.