Sharp sprinters Cogburn, Osbourne on course to meet in Whitmore Stakes
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Cogburn launched his 4-year-old season with a sharp allowance win Feb. 5 at Oaklawn and is being pointed to the Grade 3, $200,000 Whitmore on March 18 at Oaklawn, trainer Steve Asmussen said.
In his first start since May, Cogburn covered six furlongs in 1:09.87 on Feb. 5 and equaled his best Beyer Speed Figure, a 95.
“Nice horse, nice comeback,” Asmussen said.
Osbourne is another 4-year-old who launched his season with an impressive allowance win at Oaklawn. He will be considered for a start in the Whitmore, trainer Ron Moquett said.
Osbourne covered six furlongs in 1:09.82 on Jan. 20 and earned a Beyer of 98.
“He’s been a very consistent horse, shown that he’s got some ability, and it looks like he’s ready to be a good 4-year-old,” Moquett said.
Moquett co-owns and trained Whitmore, the champion sprinter of 2020 who is now retired. An earner of $4.5 million, he is at a farm in Kentucky and will head to Arkansas probably in April, Moquett said.
These days, Whitmore has a job as wingman to a horse named Casanova.
“He has a mini-pony that lives with him,” Moquett said. “Whitmore’s a huge fan of the mini-pony. He really likes to protect him. He’s his new friend, his forever buddy.”
Moquett said his wife, Laura, and Whitmore are again planning to be involved in some of the aftercare show activities this year, like competitive trail.
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