Rampellini: Oaklawn Park horses to watch for week of March 14

LEINSTER
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Last race: March 10, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/2
Beyer: 68
Triple Crown nominee cut back to a sprint distance and put in a nice bid for third when facing a quality field in a maiden special weight. Down the line, he could be quite effective on grass as a half-brother to Stormy Liberal, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in November.

SCHOENHARDT
Trainer: Tom Van Berg
Last race: March 10, 4th
Finish: 4th by 6 1/2
Beyer: 67
He broke very leisurely in a $30,000 conditioned claimer at a mile – a race that ends at the sixteenth pole at Oaklawn – and put in a good bid for fourth. Schoenhardt galloped out nicely after the race, in which he faced older rivals. He is a 3-year-old son of Shackleford.

SONNY SMACK
Trainer: Don Von Hemel
Last race: March 9, 6th
Finish: 1st by 1 1/4
Beyer: 67
He made his debut at two turns and delivered, closing from next to last for a clear win over maiden special weights. The 3-year-old defeated older rivals and is bred to be a runner as a half-brother to Grade 3 winner and near millionaire Smack Smack.