Plainsman, Thomas Shelby rematched in Essex Handicap
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Plainsman and Thomas Shelby put on a show last month in the first handicap in Oaklawn’s series for older horses and on Saturday they will renew their budding rivalry in the Grade 3, $500,000 Essex Handicap.
The race, which is for 4-year-olds and up over 1 1/16 miles, is newly graded. The field of eight includes Rated R Superstar and Warrior’s Charge – both millionaires like Plainsman.
The Essex is the final local prep for the Grade 2, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap on April 23 and shares a card with the Grade 3 Whitmore.
Plainsman won the Grade 3, $600,000 Razorback Handicap by a neck over pacesetter Thomas Shelby on Feb. 12. The horses were prominent throughout, and each earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 99.
“Both horses that were one-two that day ran winning races,” said Brad Cox, who trains Plainsman. “Neither deserved to lose, and we were fortunate we came out on top.”
Plainsman on Saturday will start as the 122-pound highweight in the Essex. The Razorback was his first start since Dec. 4, when he ran third in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct.
“He really showed a lot of heart and determination in that last one,” Cox said. “I feel like he’s tighter going into this one than the Razorback. I think he’s set up for a good effort. He’s been breezing well. He looks great. So, we’ll see how it goes.”
Plainsman will break from post 4 under Joel Rosario.
“I kind of thought he would be tracking some of the speed in his last start,” Cox said, “but he broke sharp – almost could have taken the lead, I think, around the first turn if he wanted. Obviously, Joel sat well on him, and he showed up.”
Thomas Shelby set a pressured pace and fought to the wire in the Razorback.
“It was pretty exciting,” trainer Robertino Diodoro said. “He just kept coming. He’s as gritty as they come.”
Diodoro has been pleased with how Thomas Shelby is heading into the Essex. He is weighted at 118.
“He’s training great,” Diodoro said. “I’ve said this for a month and a half – he definitely knows he’s good right now. He thinks he’s King Kong. It’s always nice to see a horse train and be proud of himself.”
David Cohen has the mount on Thomas Shelby, who will break from the rail.
“I don’t love it,” Diodoro said of the draw. “He’s run well out of the one-hole before, so I’m not overly concerned.”
Thomas Shelby is owned by M and M Racing, while Plainsman races for Shortleaf Stable.
Warrior’s Charge is coming off a more than nine-length win in which he equaled his best career Beyer Speed Figure, a 101.
“He’s had plenty of time to recover from a big effort here in an allowance race at the end of January,” Cox said. “It was good to get him back in the winner’s circle. He hadn’t been there in a while, so that was good to get him back.
“Hopefully, he can put in a big effort. He’s a very, very good work horse, so he’s continued to work really well in the mornings.”
Florent Geroux has the mount on Warrior’s Charge from post 3.
“Inside the last year he’s shown the ability to pass horses, so that gives us different options,” Cox said.
Rated R Superstar won the Fifth Season on Jan. 15 at Oaklawn.