Shawklit Man special so far

Shawklit Man, who is 2 for 2 with his win in the $75,000 MEC Mile at Remington Park on Dec. 1, is being pointed for the $500,000 Delta Jackpot at Delta Downs in Vinton, La.

The one-mile race for 2-year-olds drew 73 nominations for its first running on Dec. 21.

Shawklit Man raced from off the pace to win his maiden over seven furlongs at Churchill Downs in November, then led throughout in his 3 1/2-length MEC win.

"I think his race at Remington Park is an indicator of how he'll do in two-turn races," said Steve Asmussen, who trains Shawklit Man. "He's a special horse."

Asmussen is also pointing Mr. Decatur, second in the $75,000 Jean Lafitte at Delta Downs, to the Delta Jackpot. Before the Jean Lafitte, the colt won his maiden at Churchill Downs.

For the $250,000 Delta Princess, a one-mile race for 2-year-old fillies held the night before the Delta Jackpot, Asmussen hopes to have two or three starters. Among those he has under consideration for the race are recent stakes winners Souris, Miss Listo, and Valid Pulpit.

Mick the quick

Mick won the $30,000 Clever Trevor at Remington on Nov. 10 by daylight, even after running the opening quarter-mile of the 6 1/2-furlong race in 20.80 seconds. Mick is to start next in the $75,000 Sugar Bowl at Fair Grounds on Dec. 29, said W.D. Taylor, assistant to owner-trainer Bob Pogue.

Taylor, who trained three champion Quarter Horses, is impressed with Mick, who has won three of five races.

"This is probably one of the fastest horses I've had my hands on, and I don't think he's reached his potential yet," Taylor said.

Tranzachion a worthy warrior

Bottom-level claimers do not win horse of the meet titles, but one who would be worthy of the award is Tranzachion, who won six straight races during the Remington meet that closes Sunday.

His win streak started on Sept. 14 with a half-length win in a $3,500 claiming race. He then won at the same level three more times in September and October, before a win in a $5,000 claimer on Nov. 15.

For his most recent start, on Nov. 22, Tranzachion returned to the $3,500 level and won by 4 1/2 lengths. He was claimed out of the race from Raymond Gestes and trainer Joe Peckham, for whom he registered his six straight wins. Kevin Cogburn rode Tranzachion throughout the streak. Overall, Tranzachion has won 12 races at Remington.

* Trainer Ken McPeek said White Cat is a possibility for the Delta Jackpot. A son of Mountain Cat, White Cat won an entry-level allowance at one mile at Churchill Downs on Nov. 9, and earlier this year finished fourth in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor.

* Oaklawn opened its backstretch in late November, and as many as 400 horses are expected to be on the grounds by Christmas to prepare for the meet that opens Jan. 24. Daily purses during the 55-day season will average a record $235,000-$240,000.

* Very Geri, winner of the $30,000 San Antonio Oaks, is being pointed for the $100,000 Pago Hop on turf at Fair Grounds on Dec. 21, trainer Eddie Milligan Sr. said. Very Geri is a strong finisher who has won three of six starts for owner John Franks and is out of the stakes-winning turf mare Herat's Pleasure.

* Lone Star will be the site of the Fasig-Tipton Texas mixed sale Sunday. There are 303 horses cataloged, some of them part of the dispersals of Art and Stephanie Preston and B.L. Littleton. The one-day sale begins at 10 a.m. Central.

* Stakes runners Arctic Boy and Dazzlinpersonality head an interesting field for the ninth race Thursday night at Sam Houston. The allowance race at one mile and 70 yards drew a field of 10.