Oaklawn Park: Aireofdistinction, Broken Blues test streaks in Thursday allowance

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Aireofdistinction and Broken Blues will each be seeking their fourth straight wins Thursday, when they take on stakes winners Livi Makenzie, American Sugar, and Missjeanlouise and the multiple stakes-placed Lady Diva Ga Ga in the seventh race at Oaklawn Park. The six-furlong allowance drew nine fillies and mares, and it carries a purse of $59,500.

Aireofdistinction began her streak in a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs on Nov. 6. She handled winners in her first attempt in a first-level allowance at Fair Grounds on Nov. 30, then won her 4-year-old debut last out at Oaklawn, in an optional $40,000 claimer on Jan. 18. Prior to her streak, she had run third in a pair of maiden special weight sprints, and her trainer, Steve Asmussen, said a surface switch has played a role in her rise.

“I quit running her on the turf,” he said.

“She’s a nice, talented filly.”

Aireofdistinction will break from the rail, under jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., and Asmussen said the inside draw is a concern Thursday.

Aireofdistinction races for Gillian S. Campbell.

Broken Blues also won her maiden at Churchill in November, for a $30,000 claiming price. She was snatched up that afternoon by Maggi Moss, and in her first start for Moss and trainer Chris Richard, she won a first-level allowance at Oaklawn on Jan. 16. Broken Blues proceeded to win a second-level allowance here Feb. 1.

Terry Thompson has the mount on the filly, who is a 4-year-old daughter of Broken Vow.

Livi Makenzie won the $98,000 Saylorville at Prairie Meadows last June in what was the biggest win of her career. In her most recent start, she was fourth in an Oaklawn allowance Jan. 26, in what was her first out since November. Channing Hill has the mount for BJD Thoroughbreds and trainer Ron Moquett.

American Sugar is a four-time stakes winner cutting back to one turn. All six of her career wins have come sprinting. David Mello has the mount for trainer Lynn Chleborad, who is three wins from career victory No. 1,000.

Lady Diva Ga Ga, like American Sugar, exits the $100,000 American Beauty at Oaklawn, a race won by Apropos, who is now being pointed to the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland.

◗ The Mark Casse-trained Cheerful Contender leads a first-level optional claimer for 3-year-old fillies Thursday that goes as the eighth race. The 1 1/16-mile race could produce starters for the $150,000 Honeybee at Oaklawn on March 8.