Oaklawn: Slamit may try Illinois Derby for Tim Ice

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Slamit, a maiden winner at Oaklawn who earlier this month won the $50,000 Spring Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park, is to make his next start in one of two stakes, said his trainer, Tim Ice. The horse is headed to either the Grade 3, $500,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne on April 7, or the $100,000 Northern Spur at Oaklawn on April 14.

Slamit put in a strong closing bid to take the Spring, which came in his sixth career start. It was also his second race on Lasix. One start earlier, Slamit won a maiden special weight at 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn. In the Spring Slamit earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 79.

“I think the addition of Lasix has really helped him a lot, turned his form around pretty good,” said Ice.

“He came back out of that Houston race very good.”

Slamit is owned by the Black Gold Racing stable of Ray Willis and Leonard Blach. Blach co-raced Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird. Black Gold Racing on Sunday will have the Ice-trained No Spin in the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Park Derby.