Rockshaw brings big Beyer, perfect local record to Bachelor Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – One of the best 3-year-olds to come out of the Oaklawn meet this winter will not be running in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby.

Rockshaw instead goes Thursday in the $150,000 Bachelor.

The six-furlong race for 3-year-olds opens the Racing Festival of the South. During the series, Oaklawn puts on seven stakes over the final three dates of the meet, capped by the Arkansas Derby on Saturday. The races are worth a total of $3.45 million.

Rockshaw is unbeaten at Oaklawn, where he won a first-level allowance in January and the $125,000 Gazebo in March. He took the stakes race in impressive fashion, winning by four lengths while covering six furlongs in a rapid 1:09.20. For the effort, Rockshaw earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 93 that is tops in the Bachelor field.

“He’s so happy, and he just does his job,” said Alex Lieblong, who owns Rockshaw with his wife, JoAnn.

The Lieblongs, who have the horse in training with Ron Moquett, tend to focus on buying young horses with the potential to make the classics, based on barometers such as pedigree. But they made an exception with Rockshaw, a son of Maclean’s Music who is out of the sprint-stakes-winning mare Wonderful Luck.

“If you look at the horse, he just screams at you, ‘Sprinter,’ ” Alex Lieblong said. “This is one Ron pushed. He wouldn’t have been on my shortlist. Sometimes, one just catches your eye and you overlook the pedigree and have a nice sprinter.

“If you can’t enjoy him, you’re in the wrong game.”

Bachelor Stakes (RACE 9)

KEY CONTENDERS

Rockshaw, by Maclean’s Music
Last 3 Beyers: 93-82-70

◗ He’s the winningest member of the Bachelor field, with three victories from five starts. He won his maiden last October at Keeneland and has spent the winter at Oaklawn.

◗ Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount from post 3 in the eight-horse field.

Recruiting Ready, by Algorithms
Last 3 Beyers: 85-43-74

◗ He was supplemented to the Bachelor off a win over optional $50,000 claimers March 10 at Laurel. He covered six furlongs in 1:09 and was flattered when both the runner-up and fourth-place finisher from that race came back to win high-end optional claimers at Laurel and Aqueduct.

◗ Earlier in his career, Recruiting Ready ran competitive races against eventual champion Classic Empire and Kentucky Derby prospect Gunnevera.

◗ Horacio Karamanos has the mount for Sagamore Farm and trainer Horacio DePaz.