Southern Phantom will race at Oaklawn

Southern Phantom is arguably the most recognizable horse stabled at Remington Park. The uniquely marked son of Bodemeister has long been a social-media sensation and in November made his way to Oklahoma City after being purchased at auction at Keeneland by Danny Caldwell.

Following the close of the Remington meet Sunday, Caldwell will be racing at Oaklawn. The Hot Springs, Ark., track opens Jan. 24. Southern Phantom, who has made his seven career starts in New York, is a 3-year-old maiden and a June foal. He has settled in well, Caldwell said.

“He’s training really well,” he said. “He’s the boss of the barn. He’s got a personality.”

Caldwell said he told his wife he anticipated the horse would sell for $50,000 to $100,000, but ended up getting him for $20,000. In his most recent race Feb. 2, the horse finished third in a maiden special weight at 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 64.

“I’ve had calls from people wanting to buy breeding rights,” Caldwell said. “He acts like he wants to be a racehorse. As long as he’s got passion and wants to run, we’ll let him run – unless there’s a direction that’s better for him. Once we get to Oaklawn, he’ll be there.

“I know the day he does run, it will be well-published on social media!”

◗ David Cohen has some upcoming mounts at Fair Grounds starting Dec. 19, then will make his way to Oaklawn late this month, agent Bill Castle said. Cohen won last year’s title at Oaklawn.