Sandy's Surprise arrives, Ever So Clever departs
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Sandy’s Surprise is a newcomer to the distaff division at Oaklawn Park, while local stalwart Ever So Clever is calling it a career.
The fillies were rivals back in November, when Sandy’s Surprise won the $300,000 Zia Park Oaks over runner-up Ever So Clever. But their paths are not expected to cross again.
Ever So Clever has been retired by Clearview Stable, trainer Steve Asmussen said. She last raced Jan. 13, finishing a close second to Farrell in the $125,000 Pippin at Oaklawn. Ever So Clever registered the biggest win of her career in last year’s Grade 3, $400,000 Fantasy here. Overall, the daughter off Medaglia d’Oro earned $522,830.
Sandy’s Surprise last raced Jan. 28, finishing fourth in the Grade 3, $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston. She flew in from Southern California for the race, and then was sent to trainer Doug O’Neill’s division at Oaklawn.
O’Neill said Sandy’s Surprise is being pointed to the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri, a 1 1/16-miles race for fillies and mares March 17 at Oaklawn.
Sandy’s Surprise finished sixth on the La Canada Jan. 13 at Santa Anita, and was beaten 1 1/2 lengths in the Houston Ladies Classic. Sandy’s Surprise earned the second-best Beyer Speed Figure of her career at Sam Houston, a 90.
“I thought she really ran well,” O’Neill said. “We were coming back a little quick. She tried hard, which she always does. The Azeri gives her plenty of time to recharge herself.”
Sandy’s Surprise is a daughter of Drosselmeyer and a half-sister to Mourinho, who won the Smarty Jones last month at Oaklawn. Sandy’s Surprise is owned by STD Racing Stable, John Fuller, and Neil Haymes.
The next race in the local distaff series is the Grade 3, $150,000 Bayakoa on Feb. 17. The meet’s biggest race for fillies and mares is the Grade 1, $700,000 Apple Blossom on April 13.
