Subtle Indian faces tough assignment in Count Fleet
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Subtle Indian will have to overcome a host of obstacles to win his fourth straight race Sunday in the Grade 3, $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn Park.
He’s facing a deep field that includes Alsvid, the defending champ and a millionaire; Cinco Charlie, a seven-time stakes winner; and W.B. Smudge, who has flourished at the meet.
Subtle Indian is the 120-pound highweight and will start from the rail in the field of nine.
“My assistant just told me we drew the one hole,” trainer Robertino Diodoro said shortly after the draw Thursday. “He’s taking it better than I am.”
The Count Fleet, a six-furlong race for 4-year-olds and up, continues the $3.75 million Racing Festival of the South at Oaklawn. The series features nine stakes over the final week of the meet, which wraps April 16 with the Arkansas Derby.
Count Fleet, Race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
Subtle Indian, by Indian Charlie
Last 3 Beyers: 96-102-95
◗ Subtle Indian’s rail draw magnifies the importance of a good start, but he is well equipped to hold his position and perhaps even shake free if he gets the jump on his main pace rival, Cinco Charlie.
“There’s not too many horses that leave the gate like Subtle Indian,” said Diodoro, who trains Subtle Indian for his breeder, Mercedes Stables. “He’s very quick. We’re not going to change anything and, hopefully, he can overcome it. The horse is doing great. He’s on top of his game right now and, hopefully, he can continue it.”
◗ Subtle Indian started his win streak at Oaklawn, with an optional $50,000 claiming win on the opening-day card, Jan. 15. The start was his first since June. Subtle Indian proceeded to win an optional $62,500 claiming race at the track Feb. 13, earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 102. From there, he won the $100,000 Hot Springs Stakes on March 5 – defeating a field that included Alsvid – from the one hole at Oaklawn.
“Ever since he’s come back from his layoff, he’s trained and raced a lot more mature,” said Diodoro, noting the horse now handles pace pressure better than he did last year at 3. “He’s improving. I’m pretty excited about Sunday.”
◗ Ramon Vazquez has the mount Sunday.
W.B. Smudge, by Grand Reward
Last 3 Beyers: 91-99-92
◗ He will be seeking his third straight win at the meet and could get an ideal stalking trip behind Subtle Indian and Cinco Charlie.
“The great thing about him is he can do whatever you ask him to do,” said trainer Matt Kordenbrock. “He’s very versatile.”
◗ W.B. Smudge will break from post 2 under Carlos Marquez Jr.
Cinco Charlie, by Indian Charlie
Last 3 Beyers: 103-82-95
◗ He’s a Grade 3 winner who comes off arguably the best effort of his career, in the Duncan F. Kenner on Feb. 20 at Fair Grounds. Cinco Charlie took quick command of the six-furlong race, and won wire to wire in 1:09.20. He earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 103.
◗ Cinco Charlie draws post 3, which places him outside of his main pace rival, Subtle Indian.
◗ Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount for trainer Steve Asmussen. The men lead their respective standings with one week left in the meet.
Alsvid, by Officer
Last 3 Beyers: 86-93-95
◗ He was a three-quarter-length winner of last year’s Count Fleet, the first graded stakes win of his career. Overall, the horse has won nine stakes races.
◗ Alsvid will be turning back in distance off a rare two-turn start, having finished third last out in an optional $62,500 claiming race at a mile March 26 at Oaklawn.
◗ Channing Hill has the mount for trainer Chris Hartman.