Oaklawn: Bullet work from Noble Bird

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Noble Bird, the winner of the Grade 1 Stephen Foster, worked five furlongs in company from the gate Wednesday at Oaklawn. He went after the renovation break in a bullet 1:00.80.

Oaklawn head clocker Jim Hamilton had a half-mile split of 48.40 seconds and a six-furlong gallop-out in 1:13.40.

Trainer Mark Casse said Wednesday that potential objectives for the horse are the Grade 3, $300,000 Razorback Handicap on March 19 and the Grade 2, $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap on April 16.

Noble Bird last raced in August.

◗ Call Pat, the winner of last year’s Grade 3 Groupie Doll at Ellis Park, is set to launch her 6-year-old season Sunday in the $100,000 Bayakoa, said trainer Brad Cox. The mare, owned by Miller Racing, last ran in November, when she was third in the Grade 2 Falls City Handicap at Churchill Downs. Others expected for the Bayakoa include Grade 2 winner Sarah Sis.

◗ Midnight Hawk is part of a seven-horse field for the $100,000 Essex Handicap on Saturday at Oaklawn. He drew post 2 during Wednesday’s draw and will be ridden by Jon Court. Others making up the field include Carve and Cougar Ridge. The card Saturday also includes a pair of allowances. The fifth race drew stakes winners Hebbronville and Bayerd, while Sleepy Hollow Stakes winner Get Jets is entered in the eighth race Saturday.

◗ Wrath of Ruthie will again be a short price when she puts her 2-for-2 record on the line in the allowance feature Friday at Oaklawn.