Oaklawn Park: Bad start can't stop Don't Tell Sophia in Pippin

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.- Don’t Tell Sophia overcame a stumbling start to defend her title in the $100,000 Pippin before an Oaklawn Park crowd of 12,248 on Saturday. She won by 1 1/2 lengths over 17-1 shot Fully Living, while it was another three-quarters of a length back in third to Sister Ginger.

Don’t Tell Sophia, the 2-5 favorite who paid $2.80, $2.60 and $2.10, created a minus show pool of $39,671, according to an official with Oaklawn.

The Pippin is the first local prep for the Grade 1, $500,000 Apple Blossom, which is a meet objective for Don’t Tell Sophia. She bobbled at the break Saturday and found herself trailing the field into the first turn. Don’t Tell Sophia began picking up rivals approaching the half-mile pole, moved to the fore into the stretch, and went on to cover 1 1/16 miles on a track rated fast in 1:44.30.

“She’s just all class,” said Channing Hill, who was aboard Don’t Tell Sophia. “She really came home nice.”

Phil Sims, who co-owns and trains Don’t Tell Sophia, said she will be pointed for the $100,000 Bayakoa, a Feb. 16 race at Oaklawn that she won in 2013.

Don’t Tell Sophia, who also races for Jerry Namy, earned $60,000 for the win to push her earnings past $500,000. Don’t Tell Sophia is a 6-year-old mare by Congaree and was bred in Kentucky by Stonerside Stable.

Apprentice jockey Pedro Nazario was taken to a local hospital following a one-horse spill in the third race and stewards said late Saturday he was still at the facility undergoing tests. The stewards said he was conscious when transported to the hospital.