Private Emblem, 'Paloma' win at Oaklawn

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Private Emblem, coming off a stakes win on turf, rallied to win the of the $75,000 Southwest Stakes on a muddy main track at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.

Paloma Parilla, an impressive allowance winner last month here, withstood an objection to win the second division of the Southwest by neck over Cope With an Image.

Private Emblem ($10.20) raced about seven lengths behind King Zonic, who set the pace while under pressure from Red and Rare and Clergy. He advanced along the rail on the turn for home under regular rider Donnie Meche, angled outside of Clergy at the top of the stretch, and ran down Dusty Spike to win by three-quarters of a length.

Dusty Spike was second, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Clergy, who ran third.

Private Emblem covered the one-mile distance in 1:40.20. He earned $45,000 for the win, his third in six starts, which pushed his bankroll to $189,300. Private Emblem had won the $75,000 Black Gold Handicap over 7 1/2 furlongs on turf at Fair Grounds on Jan. 4.

Private Emblem, a New York-bred son of Our Emblem, races for James Cassels and Bob Zollars and is trained by Steve Asmussen.

In the , Paloma Parilla gave trainer Larry Robideaux Jr. his third Southwest victory.

Paloma Parilla ($18.20) tracked the early pace set by favorite Cojet, who led the field through an opening half-mile in 48 seconds. He overtook Cojet on the turn for home and exchanged bumps with Cope With an Image into the stretch before going on to cover the mile in 1:41.60. Cope With an Image finished 1 1/4 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Windward Passage.

Jockey David Nuesch, who rode Cope With an Image, lodged an objection against Paloma Parilla, who was ridden by James Lopez. The claim was disallowed after a brief deliberation by the stewards.

Paloma Parilla, a son of Dove Hunt, earned $45,000 for the win, which improved his record to three wins from five starts for earnings of $72,600. He races for Barnett Stables.

Robideaux also won the Southwest in 1995 with Mystery Storm and in 1993 with Foxtrail.