Sherman returns to Oaklawn as owner with shot in money allowance

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Art Sherman of California Chrome fame is in the Oaklawn Park entries on Friday for likely the first time since the 1950s.

But not as a trainer.

Sherman, 85, is a co-owner of Acting Out, who is entered in the featured eighth race. The money allowance for fillies and mares will be run over six furlongs, and the field is led by three-time stakes winner Joy’s Rocket.

The race is expected to produce starters for the $200,000 Carousel on April 2 at Oaklawn.

Sherman is a Southern California resident who was a jockey before he launched a training career highlighted by California Chrome, a two-time Horse of the Year. It was as a rider that Sherman was last in Hot Springs, Ark.

“It was the late 50s when I rode at Oaklawn,” he estimated. “I think I came in to ride for a few guys. I didn’t stay very long. We stopped off at Oaklawn, were headed to Kentucky.

“I love that little town. I always thought it would be a place I could retire if I didn’t have family in California.”

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Sherman retired from training in December, but remains tied to racing through sons Steve and Alan, who are both trainers, and through ownership. Acting Out is making her first start since July, when she was sixth after setting a pressured pace in a quick allowance sprint at Del Mar.

“She had some time off,” Sherman said. “We rested her, turned her out, let her grow up a little. She’s a nice filly. She tries all the time. She’s got some black type, was second in a stakes up at Golden Gate.

“We’re hoping she runs good. It’s been a while since she’s run. She’s had some good works.”

Sherman noted the drills include five furlongs from the gate in a bullet 59.80 seconds March 1 at Oaklawn.

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Sherman’s close friend, Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, has a local division and is now training Acting Out. She came to the meet for the allowance race options at Oaklawn.

“It’s just hard to get to run her,” said Sherman. “And the pot is big.”

Oaklawn has announced a purse increase for overnight races starting Friday and it makes the eighth race worth $107,000.

“I remember running for $1,500 pots when I started,” Sherman said. “If you were lucky to get in the money, I thought it was pretty good.”

Acting Out on Friday will break from post 5 under Martin Garcia.

“She’s got a lot of gas – she’s fast,” said Sherman, who previously trained Acting Out. “I think she would be able to sit off the pace. Horses change as they get older, get more mature.”

Headland and Ring Leader also figure to be prominent. Both are returning from layoffs, with Ring Leader having won the Dixie Belle at Oaklawn in 2020.

Joy’s Rocket is returning to the overnight ranks after running second by a neck in the $150,000 American Beauty Stakes on Jan. 22 at Oaklawn. Joel Rosario has the mount from the rail for trainer Steve Asmussen. Joy’s Rocket races for Team Hanley and Parkland Thoroughbreds.

Li’l Tootsie, who is an allowance winner at the meet, will break from post 2. Florent Geroux has the mount for Joel Politi and trainer Tom Amoss.

Sherman races Acting Out with Zvika Akin and Robert Harkins.