Rampellini: Oaklawn Horses to Watch for Jan. 18
Big Tire
Trainer: Genaro Garcia
Last Race: Jan. 16, 1st
Finish: 9th by 9 1/2
Beyer: 58
Claimed for $7,500 out of a route, he broke from the 12-hole and was never involved as the favorite. It was a rare wet-track start for the horse, and a rare off race for runner who generally puts up Beyer Speed Figures in the 70s and 80s. Earlier in his career, he was fifth in the Santa Anita Derby won by California Chrome.
The Lone Roo
Trainer: Kim Puhl
Last Race: Jan. 13, 5th
Finish: 4th by 6 3/4
Beyer: 64
He found himself racing farther off the pace than usual after hitting traffic early on in a $7,500 starter allowance sprint that went in good time. He has a strong record over the local strip and his next start will be his third off a layoff.
Rowdy the Warrior
Trainer: Donnie Von Hemel
Last Race: Jan. 16, 8th
Finish: 3rd by 9 3/4
Beyer: 79
Closer was at a disadvantage in the $150,000 Smarty Jones won wire-to-wire in the slop by Uncontested. Rowdy the Warrior had one horse beat early and did well to close for third in the mile race that ended at the sixteenth pole. He might benefit from a fast track, as well as more stretch when the distances get longer for the local 3-year-olds.
Jet Over
Trainer: Karl Broberg
Last Race: Jan. 15, 2nd
Finish: 1st by 5 1/4
Beyer: 79
Claimed for $7,500, he dominated open company in his Oaklawn debut and earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure. New barn races in this one’s home state of Texas, so perhaps in time he could see action in the statebred ranks again, at a track like Lone Star Park.