Talamo picks up mount on War Story for Southwest

Southern California-based jockey Joe Talamo will ride War Story in the Grade 3, $300,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn on Feb. 16, the horse’s co-owner, Ron Paolucci, said Thursday. War Story will enter the race off a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Lecomte at his base of Fair Grounds.

Talamo takes over from James Graham in a move Paolucci said was his call and no reflection on Graham, who was aboard for the horse’s maiden win and the Lecomte.

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“I’m a huge Talamo fan,” Paolucci said. “That’s why I wanted him to ride Ria Antonia after the Breeders’ Cup. Joe is probably one of the strongest finishers riding in the game, just an unbelievable finisher, and I’m thinking he’s a perfect fit for this horse.”

Tom Amoss trains War Story, who also races for Christopher Dunn.