Original Intent targets Trail's End at Oaklawn

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Original Intent is back at Oaklawn Park following a start at Aqueduct and is being pointed to the Trail’s End on the final day of the meet May 8, according to trainer Bentley Combs.

The Trail’s End is the traditional final race of the meet, and it is run at 1 3/4 miles. Original Intent dominated the race last year, winning by more than six lengths and earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 87.

In more recent times, Original Intent was fourth in the $75,000 Stud Muffin on March 26 at Aqueduct. The race was run over 1 3/8 miles.

“He kind of didn’t get the best of breaks there,” Combs said. “He came running.”

The Trail’s End is run under starter allowance conditions. Its purse for this year has been boosted from $75,000 to $125,000, according to a notice posted on the overnight for Oaklawn.

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Combs is a 34-year-old native of Lexington, Ky. His last name and birthplace begs the question if he’s related to the late Leslie Combs II, the former master of Spendthrift Farm.

“I get asked that a lot,” Bentley Combs said. “No relation.”

He did, however, live on Iron Works Pike – the same road of an entrance to Spendthrift Farm.

Bentley Combs is a former assistant to trainer Dallas Stewart and won his first career race on Nov. 2, 2017 at Churchill Downs, according to Daily Racing Form records.