Oaklawn: Skeet strikes for Holthus

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Skeet overcame a poor start to give trainer Bob Holthus his third stakes win of the young Oaklawn Park meet in the $50,000 King Cotton Stakes. Wacky for Love finished four lengths back in second, while it was another 1 1/2 lengths to Chindi in third.

Skeet, a front-runner, broke last of all in the six-furlong race while Honor Me shot to the lead and ran the opening quarter in 22.49 seconds. Skeet advanced down the backstretch, launched a four-wide bid on the turn for home, and had the lead coming into the stretch. From there, he powered home to an impressive victory, covering the distance over a fast track in 1:09.38.

John McKee rode Skeet, his fourth winner on Saturday's card. Skeet earned $30,000 for his owners, Fly Racing. The win was Skeet's ninth from 21 career starts. His earnings now stand at $334,453.

Skeet, who was moving from turf to dirt for the King Cotton, was sent to post as the favorite and paid $4. With the win, he gave Holthus his fifth win in the King Cotton and his third straight win on the card Saturday.

Skeet also gave Holthus his third stakes win of the meet. The trainer swept the opening weekend stakes at Oaklawn when he won the $50,000 Dixie Belle with Saltwater Runner and the $50,000 Mountain Valley with Pro Prado.

Attendance on Saturday was 17,244.