Rampellini: Oaklawn Horses to Watch for week of March 1
Secret Passage
Trainer: Donnie Von Hemel
Last Race: Feb. 26, 8th
Finish: 1st by 1 1/2
Beyer: 88
He seems like one who might be sitting on a productive 4-year-old season. He defeated a deep field of older horses in an optional $40,000 claiming route, sweeping from more than 10 lengths off the pace for a clear win. Secret Passage is a well-bred sort as a son of Curlin and the Sky Classic mare Sweet Eloise.
Chief of Staff
Trainer: Jack Van Berg
Last Race: Feb. 25, 7th
Finish: 2nd by a neck
Beyer: 84
He ran a big race on the cut-back from two turns to six furlongs, just missing in an allowance won by the multiple stakes-winning sprinter Apprehender. Earlier in his career, Chief of Staff won his maiden in a sprint at Santa Anita.
Nikki’s Rose
Trainer: Al Cates
Last Race: Feb. 24, 8th
Finish: 3rd by 1
Beyer: 61
She made her first start against winners in the $100,000 Downthedustyroad Stakes for Arkansas-bred fillies and mares and set the pace to the later stages in a strong showing. She was overtaken by Easter Indy, a seasoned racemare who was winning the Downthedustyroad for the second year in a row.
Jacob Rocks
Trainer: Federico Villafranco
Last Race: Feb. 23, 5th
Finish: 5th by 6
Beyer: 52
He was favored when stretching out to a mile for a $30,000 maiden claiming race but was hung wide on both turns after breaking from post 9. The race ended at the sixteenth pole. Jacob Rocks is versatile, having been competitive in both routes and sprints up to this point in his career.