Oaklawn Park notes: Don't Tell Sophia on fence for Apple Blossom

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Don’t Tell Sophia, who has won two of the three filly and mare route stakes run this meet at Oaklawn, is “50-50” for the Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom on April 11, her co-owner and trainer, Phil Sims, said on Tuesday. Don’t Tell Sophia earlier this season won the Pippin and Bayakoa, was third in last year’s Apple Blossom.

“She’s just had feet issues,” Sims said. “That’s what’s holding us up a little bit.”

Sims said Don’t Tell Sophia could breeze this weekend, at which time a final decision is expected to be made on the Apple Blossom. In her most recent start, Don’t Tell Sophia was third to Close Hatches in the Grade 2, $200,000 Azeri at Oaklawn on March 15. Sims races Don’t Tell Sophia in partnership with Jerry Namy.

◗ Rose to Gold, the winner of last year’s Fantasy at Oaklawn, has arrived in Hot Springs, Ark., from her Calder Race Course base in Miami to prepare for the Apple Blossom.

◗ Stopchargingmaria, a Grade 2 winner based in Florida, flew into town Monday to be part of the field for the Fantasy.

◗ Tanzanite Cat, who won the $150,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn on Jan. 20, is a candidate for the Northern Spur, said his trainer, Cody Autrey.

◗ Carve, a recent optional-claiming winner at Oaklawn, is being pointed for the Oaklawn Handicap, said his trainer, Brad Cox.

◗ Taptowne has several options for his next start, including the Oaklawn Handicap and the Texas Mile at Lone Star Park, said trainer Tim Glyshaw.

◗ Skyring, winner of last weekend’s Grade 2 Mervin Muniz, will make his next start in Kentucky, said trainer D. Wayne Lukas. The horse’s stablemate Optimizer is a candidate for the Elkhorn at Keeneland, said Lukas.

◗ Ireland, a full sister to Grade 1 winner Dublin, is being pointed for the Ashland at Keeneland, said Lukas.