Oaklawn Park: Aireofdistinction by a nose in Spring Fever Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Just minutes after Steve Asmussen sent out Untapable to win the Rachel Alexandra Stakes by the length of the stretch at Fair Grounds on Saturday, Aireofdistinction eked out her fourth straight win for the trainer in a photo in the $100,000 Spring Fever at Oaklawn Park.

Aireofdistincton ($6.80), owned by Gillian S. Campbell, won by a nose over Chortle. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Boss Barney’s Babe in third.

Aireofdistinction was making her stakes debut in the Spring Fever, a 5 1/2-furlong sprint for fillies and mares, following overnight wins at Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, and Oaklawn. She tracked the pace set by Chortle, pressuring her through fractions of 21.81 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.41 for the half-mile. Aireofdistinction lost ground in the stretch, then resurged to win on a fast track in 1:04.50.

“She broke, was in a good spot, and I waited,” said Ricardo Santana Jr., who was aboard Aireofdistinction.

Aireofdistinction was one of three winners on the Oaklawn card for Asmussen. She picked up $60,000 for the victory, her fourth from 10 career starts. Aireofdistinction is a 4-year-old daughter of Songandaprayer and was bred in Kentucky by William Harrigan, Mike Pietrangelo, and Mark McEntee.

Attendance on Saturday was 14,594.