Oaklawn Park: Big Lute returns from layoff

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Big Lute was one of the most impressive debut winners last year at Oaklawn Park. He will be returning from a four-month layoff in an allowance Thursday, but it’s not the first time he’s shown up in the entries this meet at Oaklawn Park.

“This is the third time he’s been in,” trainer Steve Hobby said.

Big Lute was set to launch his 4-year-old season in an allowance Feb. 7, but winter weather forced the cancellation of the card. He was entered in a second allowance for March 2, but heavy rains and lightning led to a portion of that program being scrapped.

Big Lute probably won’t be stuck in the barn Thursday. Forecasts call for sunny skies and highs in the low 60s. Big Lute’s race, a money allowance for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs, will go as the sixth. Also on the program, restricted stakes winner Scooter’s Choice should go favored over open company in the eighth, a first-level allowance for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs.

Big Lute was knocking on the door against allowance rivals in two starts last fall in Kentucky. Big Lute’s last start came at Keeneland in October, when he was third in a first-level allowance under Robby Albarado.

“He just didn’t act like he was comfortable on Polytrack at all,” Hobby said. “I didn’t think he looked the same. Robby said he didn’t feel the same. He just looked uncomfortable.”

Big Lute shows a nice series of works for his return, and Hobby said he has been pleased with how the horse has trained this year. His works include five furlongs in 1:00.20 on Feb. 15, the fastest move of 88 at the distance that morning at Oaklawn.

“He’s doing really, really well,” Hobby said. “I think I’ve got him pretty fit, but you know, a race always makes them fitter. But he couldn’t be in a better place.”

Channing Hill has the mount from post 8 in the field of 12. Big Lute’s chief rivals include Justa Runner and Cold Facts.

“If it’s a slow pace, he’ll be in front,” Hobby said. “If it’s a real fast pace, he’ll sit off of it.”

Big Lute races for Alex and JoAnn Lieblong.

Scooter’s Choice, who won her maiden in the $50,000 Bara Lass for Texas-breds, enters Thursday’s eighth race off a runner-up finish to the Fair Grounds Oaks-bound Fiftyshadesofgold in a $75,000 division of the Texas Stallion Stakes at Sam Houston. Cliff Berry has the mount for trainer Bret Calhoun.