Oaklawn: Cosmic Evolution eyes Honeybee

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Cosmic Evolution, who won her maiden in last year’s $100,000 Debutante at Churchill Downs, is on pace to make her two-turn debut in the Grade 3, $150,000 Honeybee on March 12 at Oaklawn Park, said trainer Lon Wiggins.

Cosmic Evolution won a first-level allowance on Feb. 6 at Oaklawn in her first out since August. She tracked the pace and went on to a 1 1/4-length win under regular rider Calvin Borel.

“I thought she might get a little tired, but she kept grinding it out,” said Wiggins. “She ran really good. I was happy with her. She’s really matured this year with her time off. She’s gotten taller, filled out a little bit.”

Wiggins is looking forward to stretching Cosmic Evolution out in the 1 1/16-mile Honeybee.

“We’ve been really wanting to do that since the spring of last year,” said Wiggins.

Cosmic Evolution is by Proud Citizen and out of the Ghostzapper mare Laheen. She races for Stephen Fidel.

The Honeybee is a points race for the Kentucky Oaks. Wiggins is the son of Hal Wiggins, who captured the Kentucky Oaks with Rachel Alexandra.

Durango, who is stakes-placed at the meet, is another quality 3-year-old filly with a local Kentucky Oaks points race on her agenda. She is a candidate for the Grade 3, $400,000 Fantasy on April 9, said trainer Randy Morse. She is getting a brief freshening following a close fourth-place finish in the Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn. Morse said she could remove blinkers for the Fantasy.