Subtle Indian stays unbeaten by taking Gazebo

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Subtle Indian remained undefeated in three starts on Saturday, when he held off a charging Bayerd by a half-length to capture the $100,000 Gazebo at Oaklawn Park. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back in third to Hebbronville.

The Gazebo, a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds, was run before an estimated ontrack crowd of 21,000.

Subtle Indian ($4.80) broke on top and took the field through fractions of 22.16 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.46 for the half-mile on a track rated good. Bayerd made a run at the leader in the later stages, but Subtle Indian had more and won in 1:11.51 under Chris Landeros.

“He ran big today,” said winning trainer Robertino Diodoro. “I thought he dug in. I still don’t think he cared for the racetrack today. Chris said he dug in late when it counted.”

The Gazebo was the first Oaklawn stakes win for Diodoro and Landeros, both of whom are new to the Hot Springs, Ark., track.

Subtle Indian races for his breeder, Mercedes Stables LLC. He is a Kentucky-bred son of Indian Charlie. Subtle Indian won his debut at Canterbury last June, in a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special weight. He then won a first-level allowance at Oaklawn in his 3-year-old debut Jan. 23. For the win the Gazebo, he earned $60,000.

Cinco Charlie and American Sailor were scratched from the Gazebo.