Oxymore tries two turns in lucrative Nownownow Stakes

Undefeated stakes winner Oxymore will be favored Saturday when he makes his two-turn debut against a handful of rivals proven at the configuration in the $500,000 Nownownow at Monmouth Park.

The one-mile turf race is for 2-year-olds and it drew a field of 10. The group includes Love Me Not and Bramble Blaze, who both have won at the trip at Monmouth, and Let’s Go Big Blue, a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Pinehurst who is coming off a debut win over 1 1/16 miles on turf at Saratoga.

“It’s a really interesting race,” said Gregg Sacco, who trains Love Me Not. “It’s a great race if you’re thinking about the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. I think in a couple of years it will get graded status.”

Sacco won the inaugural Nownownow in 2020 with It Can Be Done. For the first running, the race was worth $155,000.

“It’s exciting to have a $500,000 race for 2-year-olds here at Monmouth,” Sacco said. “It’s a competitive race – good locals and some top trainers shipping in.”

Chad Brown trains Oxymore, who captured the $150,000 Skidmore over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf Aug. 19 at Saratoga. He broke on top and led throughout in what was his first start for Brown and the partnership of Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Morris Bailey, and William Rucker. Oxymore has been flattered since, with third-place finisher Private Creed coming back to win the $500,000 Juvenile Sprint at Kentucky Downs.

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Oxymore’s only other race was a maiden special weight at six furlongs on turf July 1 at Belmont Park. He broke on top and went on to a 6 1/4-length win, earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 78. The start came for owner and trainer Adam Rice.

Oxymore is by Astern, whose most prestigious win came at about seven furlongs in the Group 1 Golden Rose in Australia. Oxymore’s dam, Rainbow Dreams, is by Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker.

Jose Ortiz has the mount from post 7 on Oxymore, who will run on Lasix for the first time. He’s the 121-pound highweight by the conditions of the race and as its lone stakes winner will spot his rivals between four and six pounds.

Love Me Not could start as the second choice for his win over maiden special weight rivals Sept. 3 at Monmouth. He earned a Beyer of 67, and it’s the second-best last-race number behind the 73 that Oxymore earned in the Skidmore.

“This race is a little quick back, but he came out of the last race super,” Sacco said. “His energy level, he’s eating up everything, on the track training he’s really into the bridle – all the critical things are good.”

Love Me Not’s maiden win came in his second start, following a troubled fourth-place finish in a maiden special weight sprint at Monmouth. On the move to two turns and turf, he stalked the pace and took over.

“The two turns, he won very convincingly,” Sacco said. “We decided to come back here. We’ve got to step it up again against winners. We’re confident he’ll run a good race. We’ll see if he’s good enough.”

Love Me Not is a son of Not This Time owned by Pinnacle Racing Team.

“He’s a really talented colt,” Sacco said. “He’s a big, beautiful, attractive horse with a fluid stride.”

Carlos Rojas has the mount from post 6.