Oaklawn: Ali's Birthday enters Wednesday sprint off strong effort

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Ali’s Birthday turned in a memorable comeback performance at Oaklawn Park last month, when he won in his first start since August 2012 with a Beyer Speed Figure of 102. Whether he will regress following such a big race off the bench is one of the key questions handicappers will have to address on a special Wednesday card at Oaklawn.

Ali’s Birthday goes in the eighth race, an optional $50,000 claiming race for 4-year-olds and up at six furlongs. He is part of an 11-horse field that includes Heliskier, a top Minnesota-bred making his second start since September, and Arborville and Rhetorical, both of whom are also entered in an optional $40,000 claimer at Oaklawn on Thursday.

Ali’s Birthday won his debut in a maiden special weight at Ellis Park in 2012. He surfaced again March 13 and pulled a wire job in a money allowance, covering six furlongs in a blazing 1:09.93. Since that race, he has done well, said trainer Randy Morse.

“He’s doing good, but that doesn’t mean everything,” Morse said. “It’s hard to duplicate a number like that. And there’s some pretty good horses in there.”

Morse said he’s long considered Ali’s Birthday, a 4-year-old gelding by Tale of the Cat owned by Iron Horse Racing, a runner of quality. For his debut, Ali’s Birthday earned a Beyer of 82.

“He’s always shown a lot of ability, got a big, long stride on him,” Morse said. “He had some issues, and that’s why we gave him so much time.

“I would love to get him on the grass at some point. I really think he’ll like the grass. To me, he really has a turf foot, and he’s bred for it. That’s one thing I’m looking at.”

Morse, who will be racing at Churchill Downs following Oaklawn, has given the mount to Calvin Borel.

Heliskier was third in an optional $50,000 claimer over six furlongs March 21, his first outing since winning the Minnesota Sprint Championship at Canterbury on Sept. 1. He set a quick pace and finished 5 3/4 lengths behind winner Jake Mo, who covered the distance in 1:09.48.

Seth Martinez has the mount on Heliskier for owner Marlene Colvin and trainer Mac Robertson. Circle Unbroken, who won the Grade 3 Bashford Manor in 2012, is making his first start since running sixth to Jake Mo in an optional $62,500 claimer at Churchill Downs on Nov. 24. Jon Court has the mount for trainer Garry Simms.

Wednesday’s card opens the final week of the meet.