HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Skelly is becoming an Oaklawn Park legend. He won the Grade 3, $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap for the second year in a row on Saturday to improve his local record to 7 for 9. And through those races alone, he’s earned $994,663. Skelly has not been beaten in Hot Springs since January 2023, when he was second in an entry-level allowance. From there, he has won seven consecutive races, all at Oaklawn, with the exception of one start at Lone Star Park. Skelly came into the Count Fleet off a runner-up finish in the Group 3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Feb. 24 in Saudi Arabia. It took him just 1:08.82 to cover six furlongs Saturday - and land back in the winner’s circle at Oaklawn. “I cannot tell you how impressed I am with him,” winning trainer Steve Asmussen said. “We’re grateful to [Red Lane Thoroughbreds] for giving us the chance to take him to the Riyadh Dirt Sprint. For him to return and run like he did…” :: Get the Inside Track with the FREE DRF Morning Line Email Newsletter. Subscribe now.  Asmussen said Skelly had “spoiled us to death” by regularly winning the six-furlong races in his streak in 1:09 and change. “Today, he goes in 1:08 and 4,” Asmussen said. “What a racehorse!” Skelly ($3.40) broke a tad slow and quickly moved up to take command of the Count Fleet through an opening quarter in 21.52 seconds. He increased his advantage on his rivals through a half-mile in 43.88. Skelly continued on by himself in the stretch run, finishing three lengths clear of millionaire closer Tejano Twist. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third to Happy Is a Choice. Ricardo Santana Jr. was aboard Skelly, his regular mount since January 2023. “They’re in a great rhythm and they go fast together,” Asmussen said. Asmussen was winning his sixth Count Fleet, with his other winners Jackie’s Warrior in 2022; Mitole (2019); Lemon Drop Dream (2014); and Justin Phillip (2013). Santana has now won seven editions of the Count Fleet, his others being Mitole, Whitmore in 2017-2018, Lemon Drop Dream and Justin Phillip. Skelly on Saturday improved his career record to nine wins from  14 starts for earnings of $1.4 million. He was winning his fifth stakes race Saturday, with four of those at Oaklawn. Skelly is a 5-year-old gelding by Practical Joke. His dam, the unraced Bwana Charlie mare Adande, is a half-sister to Grade 3 winners Giant Game and Isotherm. Skelly was bred in Kentucky by H. Allen Poindexter. And on Saturday, Skelly cemented his place in Oaklawn history. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.