Perfect Happiness drawn well for stalking trip in American Beauty Stakes
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Chris Hartman is hopeful Perfect Happiness will get the perfect setup Saturday in the $150,000 American Beauty at Oaklawn Park.
She was supplemented to the six-furlong race for fillies and mares and drew the widest post in the field of six. The group includes stakes winner Connie K, the stakes-placed Sarah Harper, and the promising Hot and Sultry.
Perfect Happiness comes off a third-place finish in the $98,000 Pan Zareta on Dec. 3 at Fair Grounds. She broke on top from the two-hole and proceeded to set the pace. The effort came one start after she rallied for second in a two-other-than allowance on Nov. 10 at Churchill Downs.
Nik Juarez has the mount Saturday.
“I think it’s a good draw for her,” Hartman said. “She wants to be a stalker and there’s speed in there. So I think the pace scenario is going to be good, and I like the draw.”
Hartman said he also feels Juarez will be a good match for Perfect Happiness.
“I think his style of riding fits her,” he said. “He’s exactly what the filly needs.”
Perfect Happiness caught a sharp winner last out in Oeuvre, who after taking the Pan Zareta came back to win the Nelson J. Menard Memorial at Fair Grounds. It was the fourth straight win for Oeuvre.
As for Perfect Happiness, she is returning to an Oaklawn surface over which she is a two-time winner. The daughter of Majesticperfection races for William Henderson and Victor Mendiola.
Hartman, who had a three-win day Feb. 13 at Oaklawn, sits second in the local standings. He was 13 for 33 heading into the race week, for a 39 percent strike rate this meet at Oaklawn.
Sarah Harper will get good support in the American Beauty off her runner-up finish in the $150,000 Poinsettia on Dec. 17 at Oaklawn. Since the race, the fifth-place finisher, Ari Oakley, has become a stakes winner, taking the Bold Ego Handicap at Sunland Park.
Sarah Harper rallied from fourth in the Poinsettia and could be closer to the pace Saturday on the move from 5 1/2 furlongs to six furlongs. The latter is the distance of two of her three career wins. Sarah Harper earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 87 for her effort in the Poinsettia, and it’s the best last-race number in the American Beauty.
Rafael Bejarano has the mount from post 5 for trainer Ron Moquett.
Hot and Sultry was second to Grade 3 winner Yuugiri last out in a nonwinners-of-three-lifetime allowance at six furlongs. Hot and Sultry earned a Beyer of 85. She is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Scalding. David Cabrera has the mount from post 2 for trainer Norm Casse.
The American Beauty is part of the filly and mare sprint series at Oaklawn that continues with the $150,000 Carousel on Feb. 25 and the new $250,000 Matron on March 31.
◗ Caddo River returns to Oaklawn for the eighth race, a three-other-than allowance over 1 1/16 miles. The past winner of the Smarty Jones looks like the controlling speed against a field that includes Grade 3 winner Background.
◗ Ben’s Legacy, a full brother to champion Rushing Fall, makes the second start of his career in the eighth race Saturday.
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