Subtle Indian, Creator ready for stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Subtle Indian and Creator were among the Monday workers at Oaklawn preparing for stakes starts during the Racing Festival of the South. It was a sunny morning in the 50s, and the track was fast.

Subtle Indian, a candidate for the Grade 3, $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on Sunday, worked a half-mile in company in 48.80 seconds. He broke off several lengths behind his company, overtook him in the stretch, and proved about a length best at the wire. Oaklawn clockers had his final quarter in 23.20 seconds and had him galloping out five-eighths in 1:01.80. Subtle Indian won the $100,000 Hot Springs last month at Oaklawn.

Creator, who is intended for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 16, went five-eighths in company in 1:00.60, with a final quarter of 23.60 seconds, according to Oaklawn head clocker Jim Hamilton. Hamilton had the horse galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.40. Creator was third in the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel Stakes in his last start March 12 at Oaklawn.

Whitmore, the runner-up to Cupid in the Rebel, worked Saturday at Oaklawn in preparation for the Arkansas Derby. He worked soon after the track opened for training, going a half-mile in company in 48.60 seconds. He worked inside of his mate and proved a half-length best, and clockers had him galloping out five-eighths in 1:00.60.

The champion Untapable also worked Saturday in preparation for the Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on April 15. She broke off about a length behind her company for a five-eighths move, and they finished heads up at the wire. Untapable galloped out strongly past her mate. Clockers had Untapable in 1:01.20 and galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.80.

◗ Ray’swarrior leads the featured eighth race Wednesday, an entry-level allowance for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs. He was second against similar last time. Joe Rocco Jr. has the mount for owners Alex and JoAnn Lieblong and trainer Steve Hobby.