Skeet captures Hot Springs Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Skeet overtook dueling leaders Shake You Down, who broke slow, and That Tat, for a two and a quarter length win in the $50,000 Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Sunday.

That Tat held for second, while Shake You Down, the 2-5 favorite, finished last in the five-horse field, beaten eight and three quarter lengths by Skeet.

Skeet ($7.40) broke slow from the rail, advanced nicely on the turn, and overtook the leaders into the stretch. He covered six furlongs in 1:09.20.

John McKee rode Skeet for Fly Racing and trainer Bob Holthus, who has now won five runnings of the Hot Springs.

Shake You Down, who in his last start won the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint, pulled his rider, Mike Luzzi, up to the leaders after the slow break, and dueled with That Tat through an opening quarter in 22 seconds, and a half-mile in 45 seconds. Both were soon overtaken by Skeet.

Scott Lake, who trains Shake You Down, said Luzzi told him the horse was flat, in both the post parade and the race.

Saint Waki and Cowboy Stuff finished in a dead heat for third. There was no show wagering on the Hot Springs.

The race was the second stakes win at the meet for Skeet, who won the $50,000 King Cotton opening weekend. Holthus said the horse will make his next start in the Grade 3, $150,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 8.

Skeet earned $30,000 for the win, which was his 10th from 22 starts. His earnings are $364,453.

Holthus's other winners in the Hot Springs have been Kings Command in 2002; Potentiality, 1992; Overpeer, 1991; and Proper Reality, 1989.