Wilbo gives trainer Chris Hartman elusive King Cotton win
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Finally.
Trainer Chris Hartman has been firing at the King Cotton with some quality sprinters through the years and on Saturday he picked up his first win in the race when Wilbo stalked and rolled for a two-length victory at Oaklawn.
“It was awesome in the fact that we’ve run second in this race for like four years,” Hartman said. “It was great to finally quit being a bridesmaid in it.”
Hartman was quick to point out the strong effort from Wilbo, who covered six furlongs in a sharp 1:09.85.
Ivan Fallunovalot, who broke slowly, finished second in the $125,000 King Cotton, a neck in front of Recount. Ivan Fallunovalot was bidding for millionaire status, but needed a win to get over the hump. Earlier on the card, Shotgun Kowboy went over $1 million in career earnings when he won the third race and Classic Empire's half-brother, Exclamation Point, won his debut at Oaklawn.
Wilbo ($10) was content to sit off fractions of 21.78 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.83 seconds for the half-mile, before overtaking leaders St. Joe Bay, Prime Engine, and Recount.
“They were going quick and he got to sit a couple two, three lengths off the pace and the rest was history,” said Hartman.
David Cabrera was aboard the winner for Chris Wilkins.
Hartman said Wilbo, who was winning his second race at the meet, would be pointed for the $125,000 Hot Springs on March 10 at Oaklawn with the long-range goal the track’s Grade 3, $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 14.
Wilbo is a 6-year-old son of Candy Ride and a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Kodiak Kowboy. Wilbo earned $75,000 for the win, his ninth from 24 starts. His career earnings now stand at $470,681.
► Oaklawn announced Saturday afternoon that the track will not receive on its grounds any horse that has been at Turfway Park since Jan. 24. The ban is effective immediately. Turfway has a barn under quarantine due to a positive test for the equine herpesvirus, according to an official with Oaklawn.
