Vertical Oak can keep momentum going in American Beauty

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Vertical Oak launches her 5-year-old season Saturday at Oaklawn Park on a hot streak. She will be looking for her third straight stakes win when she takes on nine other fillies and mares in the $100,000 American Beauty.

The American Beauty is the second stakes of the Oaklawn meet, which was to open Friday, and will be run over six furlongs. Others set to start include defending winner Swing and Sway and popular stakes winner Amy’s Challenge.

Other highlights of Saturday’s nine-race card include an optional $75,000 claiming route that could produce starters for the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap here Feb. 18. The field of 12 includes Grade 3 winners Flameaway, Limation, One Liner, Rated R Superstar, and Remembering Rita.

Vertical Oak won four stakes from eight starts in 2018. Her most recent victories came in the $101,000 Dream Supreme on Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs and the $94,000 Garland Of Roses on Dec. 8 at Aqueduct. Overall, she’s a seven-time stakes winner who has earned $771,595.

“Her last two races are her best yet, and I very much hope to have a similar year with her this year as she did last year,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Vertical Oak for J. Kirk and Judy Robison.

“If she had the same year it would put her over $1 million. I think that would be quite the achievement for a $20,000 yearling purchase that has earned every dollar she’s ever made.”

Vertical Oak, by Giant Oak
Last 3 Beyers: 95-92-91

◗ Vertical Oak, who as a 3-year-old won the Grade 2 Prioress at Saratoga, will break from post 5 under jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. She could get an ideal tracking trip behind Student Body and Amy’s Challenge, both of whom will start to her inside Saturday.

“She used to be all gate to wire, but she’s won two of her last four races from off the pace,” Asmussen said. “She’s older now, more mature.”

◗ Asmussen will be looking for his sixth win in the American Beauty and, in addition to Vertical Oak, will saddle the up-and-coming Sister Nation.

Amy’s Challenge, by Artie Schiller
Last 3 Beyers: 74-81-65

◗ She has worked a trio of bullets at Oaklawn in preparation for her first start since October, and among her moves is a half-mile in 46 seconds on Jan. 8.

◗ Amy’s Challenge, who came off a layoff of similar length to win last year’s Dixie Belle at Oaklawn, last raced in the Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland. She finished sixth to Shamrock Rose, who returned in her next start to capture the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

◗ Alex Canchari has the mount from post 4 for Novogratz Racing Stable and trainer Mac Robertson.