Wicked Halo, Matareya clash in Matron Stakes
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Wicked Halo will make her first start since the Breeders’ Cup against millionaire Matareya in a rousing inaugural edition of the $250,000 Matron on Friday at Oaklawn Park.
The six-furlong race for fillies and mares marks the start of the annual Racing Festival of the South. The Oaklawn series comprises 13 open-company stakes over various dates through April 29. The stakes are worth a combined $6 million. The richest of them is Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby.
Wicked Halo met older horses for the first time in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 5 and finished a good third in the seven-furlong race at Keeneland. She earned a spot in the race on the strength of a trio of Grade 2 victories, among them the Prioress at Saratoga and the Raven Run at Keeneland.
“She is the female version of Gunite,” Asmussen said. “One of Gun Runner’s first winners, went on to have a productive 2-year-old year, an excellent 3-year-old year, and we’re expecting an even better 4-year-old year.
“With that being said, we’re catching a Grade 1 winner coming back.”
Matareya won the Grade 1 Acorn last June at Belmont Park, following victories in the Grade 2 Eight Belles at Churchill Downs and Grade 3 Beaumont at Keeneland. She is making her first start since August, when she finished third in the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga. Following the start, trainer Brad Cox told Daily Racing Form’s David Grening that Matareya would be freshened for a campaign at 4.
Wicked Halo was freshened after the Breeders’ Cup, said Asmussen. The major spring objective for the Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred is the Grade 1, $750,000 Derby City Distaff over seven furlongs May 6 at Churchill.
“I do feel Wicked Halo is better suited at seven-eighths than three-quarters, but this is the right prep for her,” said Asmussen.
Tyler Gaffalione has the mount from post 6.
“She does all she can do every time,” Asmussen said.
Matareya will break from post 2 under regular rider Flavien Prat. She has been working at Fair Grounds for her return, as has Wicked Halo.
Matareya has made one start at Oaklawn, a second in a 2021 allowance captured by eventual Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath.
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The Matron cast also includes Grade 3 winner Pretty Birdie and three-time stakes winner Samurai Charm. Teddy’s Barino will be scratched, trainer Mark Glatt said Tuesday. Frankie Dettori, who was named to ride the mare and another horse on the undercard, will not make the trip to Arkansas, agent Ron Anderson said.
The defection, which leaves for a field of six, stems from the fact the Matron will now be run Lasix-free after new medication rules from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority were federally approved for launch Monday. Entries for the Matron had been taken prior to the launch, but horsemen were told by Oaklawn officials they would be unable to race on Lasix if the rules were approved, according to HISA.
Pretty Birdie has recency on the top two choices Friday, by virtue of her runner-up finish to Yuugiri in the $150,000 Carousel on Feb. 25 at Oaklawn. Pretty Birdie set a quick pace and based on the fractions she put up could prove the one to catch Friday. David Cabrera has the mount for trainer Norm Casse.
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