Long-distance specialist Lone Rock preparing for return
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Lone Rock, a marathon specialist who has earned more than $1.4 million, is nearing a return to racing. He was given time off after running third in the Birdstone on July 28 at Saratoga. Lone Rock resumed galloping at a training center before coming to trainer Robertino Diodoro at Oaklawn.
“I would say he’s about 30 days away from a race,” Diodoro said. “He had some bottom in him before he came to us. He’s on a steady work schedule now and doing well, seems very happy.”
Diodoro said Lone Rock might make the $150,000 Temperence Hill on April 2 at Oaklawn. He won the 1 1/2-mile race in 2022.
:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets.
Lovely Ride, a two-time stakes winner and the top older female in Diodoro’s barn, came out of her runner-up finish Feb. 4 in the Grade 3 Bayakoa at Oaklawn in good shape, Diodoro said.
“We’re going to see how she trains in the next 10 days or so and start making a plan,” Diodoro said of plans for the mare.
Exercising for aftercare
Oaklawn’s stable area is housing a new training option for horses, an equine exerciser, known by a brand name of Equi-Ciser. Horses are charged for each visit to the exerciser, and proceeds benefit the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement and Rehabilitation Foundation.
The exerciser is similar to a walking machine, but enclosed with separate compartments that enable horses to jog freely. The speed of the machine can be controlled.
Paul Holthus oversees the exerciser program for the aftercare organization. Last year, the trainer decided to close his stable. The equine exerciser was launched in January.
“The Arkansas HBPA paid for the installation of the [exerciser] and then in turn gave it to the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement Program, so all proceeds go to the Thoroughbred aftercare program in Hot Springs,” Holthus said.
Holthus said most trainers have their horses jog two miles on each visit to the exerciser. The cost of each visit, based on frequency, ranges from $8 to $10.
“We’ve been averaging about 50 horses a day,” Holthus said. “Trainers are liking it.”
◗ Jockey Joe Talamo, who had been wintering at Oaklawn, has moved his tack back home to Kentucky, according to his agent, Jake Romans. Romans said Talamo will be riding at Turfway Park. Later this spring, the jockey will head to Keeneland.
◗ Gun Pilot, an impressive allowance winner Feb. 4 at Oaklawn, is under consideration for the track’s Grade 2, $1 million Rebel, according to trainer Steve Asmussen. Earlier in the meet, Gun Pilot was second in an allowance won by Daily Racing Form Derby Watch member Verifying.
◗ Ari Oakley, who won her maiden at Oaklawn and went on to capture the Bold Ego Stakes in January at Sunland Park, has been retired to the breeding shed, according to Asmussen. She is by Gun Runner and out of the Grade 2-winning mare Belle of Perintown and raced for her breeder, Stonestreet Stables.
◗ Oaklawn has a four-day race week coming up, with a special holiday Monday card set for Feb. 20.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.