Ohio sprint champion Rivers Run Deep launches season

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – A pair of highly accomplished Ohio-breds will be teaming up in Oaklawn’s eighth race Friday, when Rivers Run Deep launches his season under jockey Deshawn Parker.

Rivers Run Deep will be going for his fifth consecutive win in the six-furlong allowance feature. He was named Ohio’s champion sprinter in each of the past two years and has won 12 stakes races and $906,640.

“He loves his job,” said trainer Chris Hartman. “There’s nothing he doesn’t like about it. He’s a super-competitive horse.”

Parker is a native of Cincinnati who has won more than 5,200 races in his career. On two separate occasions, he has led all riders in wins in a year in North America. Parker recently arrived at Oaklawn.

“I’m a big fan of Deshawn Parker’s,” Hartman said. “I watched him for a long time at Mountaineer. He’s a good guy and a good jock.”

The race Friday drew eight horses, including Recount, the runner-up in the $125,000 King Cotton at Oaklawn; Grand Candy, who exits a turf sprint that went in course-record time at Fair Grounds; W.B. Smudge, a stakes winner; and Pulling G’s, who ran third in the Grade 3 Midnight Lute last year at Santa Anita.

Race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Rivers Run Deep, by Ready’s Image

Last 3 Beyers: 89-74-71

◗ Rivers Run Deep will be making his first start since Nov. 19, when he won the $75,000 Cardinal Handicap at Mahoning Valley. It was his fourth straight victory in a streak that started in the $75,000 Honey Jay on Aug. 13 at Thistledown.

“He’s been ready to run for a month and a half,” Hartman said. “I was never able to find a spot for him. I’m looking for the horse to run a good race. He’s fit, and he’s ready to run. It’s a pretty tough heat, but he’s an awful nice horse. It’s probably tougher than I want it to be first time out.”

◗ Hartman trains Rivers Run Deep for James and Ywachetta Driver.

“We’re getting him ready for the Ohio campaign,” Hartman said. “That’s the big picture, him being an Ohio-bred.”

◗ Rivers Run Deep will break from post 4.

“I think he’s going to be forwardly placed in the race,” Hartman said. “I don’t foresee him on the lead. I think laying right off of it seems to be the way he likes to run.”

Recount, by Limehouse

Last 3 Beyers: 78-96-93

◗ He was fifth last out behind Grade 3 winner Whitmore in the $125,000 Hot Springs at Oaklawn. The six-furlong race went in a rapid 1:08.60.

◗ Alex Canchari has the mount for trainer Jimmy DiVito.