Ortiz caps big weekend with Hot Springs win aboard Clever Again
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Jockey Jose Ortiz closed out a superior weekend of racing at Oaklawn Park on Sunday when he guided Clever Again to a four-length win over even-money favorite Gaming in the $200,000 Hot Springs for 3-year-olds.
It was another 2 1/4 lengths back in third to Perfect Force.
A day earlier, Ortiz won both the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby aboard Sandman and the Grade 2, $750,000 Fantasy aboard Quiestside. The three stakes Ortiz won are part of the annual Racing Festival of the South.
Clever Again ($4.40) went to the lead Sunday and proceeded to set fractions of 23.76 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.98 for the half-mile and 1:11.35 for six furlongs. He went on to cover the mile distance in 1:37.13. The race ended at the sixteenth pole and the track had been upgraded to fast two races prior to the Hot Springs.
“It was all him – all the horse,” Ortiz told the publicity department at Oaklawn. “Broke clean, got the lead, relaxed with his ears up. I was just waiting for the right time to let him go. When I did, he was there. Just a good passenger there, trying to tell him when to go.”
Ortiz was aboard for Winchell Thoroughbreds, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.
Clever Again entered the Hot Springs off an impressive maiden special weight route win at Oaklawn. The son of American Pharoah is trained by Steve Asmussen, who also won the $145,000 Southern Hospitality, an overnight stakes on the undercard, with Miss Martini.
Miss Martini ($5.80) settled off the pace, came into the stretch five wide, and finished with good energy to cover six furlongs for 3-year-old fillies in 1:10.98. The track was rated fast. Keith Asmussen was aboard the daughter of Curlin for Jackpot Farm.
Torres off mounts
Oaklawn leading rider Cristian Torres was off his mounts Sunday due to a death in the family, said his agent, Cody Autrey. Torres flew out early Sunday morning to be with family following the loss of his grandfather. There was a viewing Sunday and the funeral is Monday.
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