Street Band being pointed to Apple Blossom Handicap

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Grade 1 winner Street Band is on target for a start in the Apple Blossom Handicap, said her trainer, Larry Jones. The Grade 1, $600,000 race for fillies and mares will be run here April 18.

Street Band last raced March 14, finishing fourth in the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri won wire to wire by Serengeti Empress.

“Street Band, she’s doing good,” Jones said. “We’ll start prepping for the Apple Blossom.”

Serengeti Empress also is on deck for the Apple Blossom, said her trainer, Tom Amoss.

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Jones also trains the 4-year-old filly Istan Council. She launched her season last week when fourth in an Oaklawn allowance sprint won by Grade 1 winner Mia Mischief. The start was the first since October for Istan Council.

“She needed a race,” Jones said. “She finished well, and she’s been telling us she wants to go two turns instead of just a sprint.”

Istan Council last year won an allowance over Whoa Nellie, who won the Pippin at Oaklawn in January. Jones also trains Whoa Nellie, who he says has been sidelined.

Istan Council’s best Beyer Figure, a 95, was earned for a 10-length romp in an Ellis Park allowance at a mile July 21.