Lexi On the Move looks to step forward in allowance

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Lexi On the Move will attempt to remain perfect on two fronts Sunday when she meets stakes winners My Italian Rabbi and Sassy Seneca in the featured eighth race at Oaklawn Park.

The optional $80,000 claiming race for 3-year-old fillies carries first-level allowance conditions. It will be run over six furlongs. The field of seven also includes Perfect Happiness, an impressive maiden winner at Oaklawn, and Jade d’Oro, who is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Lord Nelson.

Lexi On the Move won her career debut last out and also was the first starter for the team of owner Highlander Training Center and trainer Robertino Diodoro. Highlander Training Center is a showplace facility in Sulphur Springs, Texas, owned by Larry Hirsch, who employs a number of different trainers. It is located about three hours from Oaklawn.

Lexi On the Move won her debut by 2 3/4 lengths, and the Beyer Speed Figure of 78 that she earned in the maiden special weight sprint for 3-year-old fillies is the best last-race number in the field Sunday.

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“She’s the first horse that we sent to Robertino,” said Jeff Hooper, chairman and CEO of Highlander Training Center. “He came to visit us here some months ago and we started to develop a relationship and we have horses with his Houston division and a couple of horses with him there at Oaklawn.”

Hooper said Diodoro’s record at Oaklawn, where he currently leads the trainer standings, was one of the appeals of teaming with the horseman.

“We’re obviously pleased with the initial results,” Hooper said. “His professionalism, communication skills, and horsemanship met the criteria and standards that Larry was looking for. He also wanted to have representation at Oaklawn and felt like Robertino was somebody we’d be in good hands with there in Hot Springs.”

Lexi On the Move will break from post 6 under David Cohen. Cohen also was aboard for her debut, when she tracked the pace before moving past the leaders in the stretch and going on to cover six furlongs in 1:10.22.

“She ran a very professional race,” Hooper said. “We couldn’t have been happier.”

Lexi On the Move is a daughter of Fast Anna.

My Italian Rabbi is making her first start since September, when she was second against male rivals in the New York Breeders’ Futurity at Finger Lakes. Earlier in her 2-year-old season she won the Lady Finger and the Stillwater, both for New York-breds.

Sassy Seneca won the Shakopee Juvenile over males last September at Canterbury Park.