Oaklawn Park: Gentlemen’s Bet eyes King Cotton Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Gentlemen’s Bet is scheduled to make his first start of the year Saturday at Oaklawn in the $100,000 King Cotton, weather permitting, said trainer Ron Moquett. The six-furlong race ushers in the meet’s sprint series, which concludes with the Grade 3, $300,000 Count Fleet on April 10.

Gentlemen’s Bet will be making his first start since running third in the $1.5 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 2. Robby Albarado, who rode the horse to a pair of allowance wins last meet at Oaklawn, has the mount Saturday, said Moquett, who trains Gentlemen’s Bet for Harry Rosenblum.

Others expected include multiple stakes winner Alsvid and the stakes-placed Black Bear.

Laurie’s Rocket sidelined

Laurie’s Rocket, who had been a candidate for the King Cotton, will miss the race, said owner Willis Horton. The multiple stakes winner was third in an allowance prep for the King Cotton in his most recent outing Jan. 19.

“He came out of the last race with a fractured cannon bone, so I had to send him to Rood & Riddle up in Kentucky, and they put a screw in it,” Horton said.

Horton said the prognosis is excellent for Laurie’s Rocket and that he could make his comeback late in the meet at Churchill Downs. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Laurie’s Rocket is scheduled to return to the barn May 1.