Landeskog, named for Colorado Avalanche captain, romps in debut

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Landeskog’s debut victory on Sunday at Oaklawn was closely watched from afar by a pair of professional hockey players for the Colorado Avalanche.

Landeskog won Sunday’s nightcap, a maiden special weight sprint, by 5 3/4 lengths. The horse is co-owned by Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson.

“He’s named for my close friend and teammate Gabriel Landeskog,” Johnson said Sunday. “Gabriel and I watched his namesake run in our hotel. We are on the road for a game.”

Johnson said the 3-year-old, who is trained by Doug O’Neill, shipped in from Southern California for the race because he was ready to run during the shutdown at Santa Anita.

“We didn’t want to sit on him,” said Johnson.

Johnson said initial plans call for sending Landeskog – the horse – to Keeneland.

Landeskog is a son of Munnings and is from the female family of Serena’s Song. Johnson, a longtime owner, races the horse with John Fuller.

◗ Market King worked a half-mile in 47.20 seconds on Sunday at Oaklawn in preparation for an intended start in the Blue Grass at Keeneland. The move was the second fastest of 85 that morning at Oaklawn.