Untapable, Nickname work for Oaklawn stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Steve Asmussen had a pair of Grade 1 winners out for works Monday at Oaklawn Park, with champion Untapable tuning up for the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri and Nickname breezing for the Grade 3, $200,000 Honeybee.

Untapable will be starting her 5-year-old season in the Azeri on March 19 at Oaklawn. Nickname, the winner of last year’s Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park, will be making her second start of the year in the Honeybee on Saturday at Oaklawn.

The horses worked early Monday over a fast track on a clear morning in the 60s.

“They’re both wonderful mares, and I love how they’re doing,” Asmussen said following their drills. “It’s very exciting to see how well they’re doing. They seem happy.”

Untapable worked shortly after the track opened, going six furlongs in company in 1:13. She traveled alongside her mate to about midstretch, then went on to complete her work. Oaklawn head clocker Jim Hamilton had Untapable in fractions of 23.80 seconds for her opening quarter, 36.20 for three furlongs, and 48.60 for the half-mile. He had her final quarter in 24.40 seconds. Asmussen had Untapable galloping out a mile in 1:39.

Ricardo Santana Jr., the leading rider at Oaklawn, worked Untapable. Florent Geroux is scheduled to ride the mare in the Azeri, Asmussen said. It will be the first time Geroux has teamed with Untapable, who last year was ridden by John Velazquez and the year before by Rosie Napravnik.

Nickname went an easy half-mile in 50 seconds under exercise rider Abel Flores. Asmussen said Corey Nakatani has the mount in the Honeybee.

Nickname started her season Feb. 6, finishing second by a half-length in the Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn. She has since worked a bullet six furlongs in 1:11.80 at Fair Grounds.

Nickname races for LNJ Foxwoods. Untapable, who has banked more than $3.8 million, is owned by her breeder, Winchell Thoroughbreds.

Carve on deck for Razorback

Another notable worker for Asmussen early Monday was Carve, a Grade 3 winner who is nearing $1 million in earnings. He worked five-eighths in a bullet 1:00.40. Asmussen said Carve is being pointed for the Grade 3, $350,000 Razorback Handicap on March 19 at Oaklawn. Carve races for Arkansas resident Mike Langford.

Asmussen took the lead in the Oaklawn trainers’ standings Saturday, when he won three races on the program, including an allowance with Regally Ready. It was the 20th career win for the horse, who in 2011 captured the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Asmussen was thrilled with the performance from the 9-year-old Regally Ready, who won his second straight race of the meet. He rolled by five lengths and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 98.

“He is so cool,” said Asmussen, who plans to keep the Vinery Stables-owned runner based at Oaklawn.