Tejano Twist surges in stretch for Ring the Bell win

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – It was a millionaire’s exacta in the $150,000 Ring the Bell Stakes when seven-figure-earning stablemates Tejano Twist and Necker Island ran one-two in the sprint at Oaklawn Park.

Tejano Twist, the 6-5 favorite, unleashed a powerful run into the stretch to win by five lengths over Necker Island, who was 13-1. It was another three-quarters of a length back in third to Sir Wellington.

“Huge race,” said Chris Hartman, who trains both horses.

The Ring the Bell was one of two stakes on the card, with the $150,000 Mistletoe won by Butterbean ($24.60).

Tejano Twist ($4.40) trailed down the backside of the six-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up as Top Gunner, Ryvit and Sir Wellington dueled through fractions of 22.10 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.65 for the half-mile.

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Tejano Twist split horses on the turn, came five wide into the stretch, and separated himself from his rivals. He went on to cover the distance on a track upgraded to fast in 1:10.02.

“I thought that was a special turn of foot he put on them,” Hartman said. “He’s got a quick turn of foot.”

Chris Landeros was aboard Tejano Twist for JD Thoroughbreds and Joey Keith Davis.

Tejano Twist is a son of Practical Joke. He has now won 9 of 28 starts and has career earnings of $1,179,854.

Tejano Twist and Necker Island, who combined for a $15.60 exacta, might go their separate ways now, Hartman said.

“We’ll probably keep Tejano Twist sprinting, the series of races here,” Hartman said. “Necker Island, we might revisit one of the other mile races.”

Necker Island is a past winner at a mile at Oaklawn.

Butterbean in Mistletoe

Butterbean put in a powerful late run to win the Mistletoe by a half-length over Misty Veil. It was another neck back in third to Ice Orchid.

The one-mile race was for fillies and mares.

Butterbean settled off the pace as Lovely Ride, Effortlesslyelgant and Misty Veil took the field through an opening quarter in 23.61 seconds and a half-mile in 47.78. Butterbean advanced on the final turn, came five wide into the stretch and accelerated to get up in the race that ended at the sixteenth pole. She covered the distance on a fast track in 1:38.54.

Julien Leparoux was aboard for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Following the race, there was both an inquiry and jockeys’ objection and the stewards ruled that Effortlesslyelgant, who finished fourth, was to be disqualified and placed seventh. The call was made for interference on the final turn in an incident that involved runner-up Misty Veil.

Butterbean is a daughter of Klimt owned by Magdalena Racing and William Klimashousky. She has now won 5 of 16 starts for earnings of $476,410.

The stakes wrapped up opening weekend at Oaklawn, which will be dark on Sunday. Racing will resume on Friday.

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