Old Homestead may get challenge up front in Chick Lang Stakes
Old Homestead hasn’t been headed. He’ll put his flawless record on the line Saturday in Pimlico’s Grade 3, $200,000 Chick Lang Stakes for 3-year-olds at six furlongs.
Old Homestead debuted in a five-furlong maiden special weight on Jan. 28 at Delta Downs, winning by 11 1/2 lengths. The race didn’t surprise trainer Brett Brinkman.
“He’s always been an intelligent horse to deal with,” Brinkman said. “When he came to me, he had some fast works. He’s always been kind of a star. After the first race, we felt like we got something here.”
Despite being the only 3-year-old in a field of first-level allowance runners on March 4 at Delta, Old Homestead was bet down to 1-20. He won by 5 3/4 lengths.
“After that race, we felt really confident with his talent level,” Brinkman said.
That confidence led the connections to enter Old Homestead in Keeneland’s Lafayette on April 8. Dismissed at 9-1, he defeated next-out winner Surfer Dude by 3 3/4 lengths.
Brinkman wasn’t ready to stretch Old Homestead out, so he opted for the Chick Lang instead of the Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard.
Brinkman felt Old Homestead’s half-mile breeze on April 22 at Keeneland was too aggressive.
“I didn’t want him to work that fast, so we waited until we got to Delaware where he’ll be stabled all summer,” he said.
Old Homestead has since fired two bullet workouts.
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The lead won’t be there for the taking this time, however, as rail-drawn Cogburn has been first at the pace call in all his races. Brinkman said jockey Tommy Pompell will “play the break.”
Steve Asmussen has won the Chick Lang five times and saddles both Cogburn and Chasing Time.
“He’s really fast,” Asmussen said about Cogburn. “The connections have had success in this race with fast 3-year-olds. We’re hoping Cogburn is more of the same.”
Asmussen believes turning back in distance will aid Chasing Time. Most recently, Chasing Time was ninth in the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby.
“He’s a nice, fast horse himself,” Asmussen said. “This is a nice opportunity to shorten him up.”
Whelen Springs beat Cogburn by a neck in the Bachelor on April 30 at Oaklawn. It was the third consecutive victory for the Arkansas-bred son of Street Sense.
“He’s got a really good size to him, and I think it took him a couple of starts to understand the name of the game,” trainer John Ortiz said.
Alottahope beat older horses in a restricted allowance on May 7 at Laurel. It was his first start since a fourth-place effort in the Spectacular Bid on Jan. 22.
“He got cast in the stall and pulled a muscle,” trainer Jerry Robb said. “I gave him time, and he’s back to himself.”
Robb marvels at Alottahope’s stride.
“When he’s right, the stride on him is unbelievable,” he said. “If he can get a clear trip, I’m confident against anybody with him.”
Little Vic looms a contender after walloping first-level allowance runners May 8 at Monmouth.
Stakes winners Lightening Larry and Doctor Jeff, and My Handsome Man complete the field.