Rosenblum seeks more success in 3-year-old stakes with Uncontested

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Arkansas resident Harry Rosenblum has had success in the 3-year-old stakes series at Oaklawn Park the last two seasons with Far Right and Whitmore. He hopes to see the trend continue Monday, when he is represented by Uncontested in the $150,000 Smarty Jones.

“To me, I think he’s the best young horse I’ve had,” Rosenblum said.

The Smarty Jones is the first race in Oaklawn’s route program for 3-year-olds; it also includes the Southwest, Rebel, and Arkansas Derby. It carries a total of 17 eligibility points for the Kentucky Derby.

Far Right, whom Rosenblum races in partnership with Robert LaPenta, won the Smarty Jones and Southwest in 2015. Whitmore, another horse Rosenblum races in partnership, ran second in the Southwest and Rebel last year before finishing third in the Arkansas Derby. He will race Sunday in an optional $62,500 claiming race at Oaklawn, while Far Right ships in from Kentucky on Monday.

Uncontested, who is co-owned by LaPenta, made a splash in his debut in October, rolling by six lengths in a maiden special weight at Keeneland. He covered 6 1/2 furlongs in a blazing 1:15.80 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 89.

“He was within three-tenths of a second of the track record,” said Rosenblum, noting that the horse was geared down approaching the wire.

Uncontested was a $20,000 yearling purchased at Keeneland in September 2015. Rosenblum said he liked the horse because he was a son of Tiz Wonderful. He also liked that his dam, Galileo’s Star, had produced a Grade 3 winner at 2 in Solitary Ranger.

“His half-brother won the Arlington-Washington Futurity, so we knew the mare could throw a precocious 2-year-old,” Rosenblum said.

Wayne Catalano trained Solitary Ranger and is Uncontested’s trainer. The horse has raced once since his dazzling debut, finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 26 at Churchill Downs.

“We drew the 12 hole, and the horse was up against it,” Rosenblum said.

Rosenblum said Uncontested has a couple of factors in his favor Monday. For starters, he drew an improved gate in post 6. He also will be making his second two-turn start and has had a chance to work over the local strip; among his moves is a five-eighths from the gate in 1:00.60 on Dec. 31.

“I think it’s going to be a good race for the horse,” Rosenblum said. “His gate work was an exceptional work. He galloped out [six furlongs] in 1:12.60.”

Channing Hill, who has ridden Uncontested in each of his starts, again has the mount. The complete Smarty Jones field of eight, from the rail with riders, is: Petrov, Jose Ortiz; Warrior’s Club, Robby Albarado; Cu Rahy, Glen Corbett; Rowdy the Warrior, Luis Quinonez; Unbridled Eagle, Ramon Vazquez; Uncontested; Romeo O Romeo, Chris Landeros; and Love That Lute, Alex Birzer.

Romeo O Romeo was cross-entered in a Saturday allowance at Oaklawn.