Necker Island has choice between Oaklawn Mile, Whitmore Stakes
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Necker Island won a stakes-quality allowance at a mile Monday at Oaklawn, and trainer Chris Hartman said Tuesday he’s not sure whether Necker Island will continue to run at two turns or turn back to a sprint. He won the $300,000 Bet On Sunshine at six furlongs in November at Churchill with a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 93 and equaled that number at two turns Monday.
Necker Island came into the feature off a fourth-place finish in the $150,000 Fifth Season at a mile at Oaklawn.
“He run a banger for sure,” Hartman said of the race Monday. “It was a race we were hoping to get last time. We got it this time, so we’re very happy with his performance.
“We’ve got some decisions to make on which direction we go. The game plan was to cut him back for the Whitmore, but I don’t know now. I guess we might be re-evaluating.”
Hartman said Necker Island will come under serious consideration for the Grade 3, $400,000 Oaklawn Mile on April 2. The Grade 3, $200,000 Whitmore is a six furlong race on March 19.
Necker Island races for The Scherr Boys.