HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Sandy’s Surprise is a newcomer to the distaff division at Oaklawn Park, while local stalwart Ever So Clever is calling it a career.
The fillies were rivals back in November, when Sandy’s Surprise won the $300,000 Zia Park Oaks over runner-up Ever So Clever. But their paths are not expected to cross again.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Curlin’s Approval served notice she’s squarely on target to defend her title in the Grade 3 Royal Delta here after working an eye-catching five furlongs in 58.13 seconds before galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.48 with jockey Edgard Zayas aboard at Gulfstream Park on Thursday.
Curlin’s Approval drew off to a six-length victory in the one-mile Royal Delta here a year ago, and is looking to make amends for her second-place finish as the 8-5 favorite behind 59-1 Jordan’s Henny in the seven-furlong Hurricane Bertie here last month.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Would trainer Chad Summers have liked for Mind Your Biscuits to have won his 2018 debut? Undoubtedly yes. But was he hanging his head in total disappointment just minutes after the multiple Grade 1 winner had been outgamed to the finish line by a head by Conquest Windycity in Friday’s $53,000 allowance feature? Definitely not.
Jockey Drayden Van Dyke has received a three-day suspension, next Thursday through Saturday, for causing interference in the first race at Santa Anita on Feb. 4.
Van Dyke was cited for his ride on Casino Red, who finished third in an optional claimer. Casino Red was ruled to have altered course without clearance on the turn of a one-mile turf race.
Ms Peintour, who finished fifth, was steadied on the turn. The stewards conducted an inquiry, but did not change the order of finish.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Santa Anita will run four Grade 1 races led by the $500,000 Gold Cup during its spring-summer meeting, which runs from April 13 to June 24.
The meet will include 32 stakes, including 21 graded stakes. The other Grade 1 races are the $300,000 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf May 26; the $400,000 Shoemaker Mile on turf May 28; and the $400,000 Beholder Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on June 2.
ARCADIA, Calif. – The Irish-bred colt River Boyne is winning in a style this winter that suggests he could have a big season in the United States.
After a convincing maiden win on the opening-day program of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting Dec. 26, River Boyne won an allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option for 3-year-olds in Thursday’s seventh race.
Ridden by Flavien Prat, River Boyne closed from fifth in a field of 10 to win by an impressive 2 3/4 lengths.
“He’s got a serious turn of foot,” trainer Jeff Mullins said.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Ivan Fallunovalot, who is near $1 million in career earnings, is being pointed to the $125,000 Hot Springs Stakes on March 10 at Oaklawn, according to trainer Tom Howard.
Ivan Fallunovalot finished second in the King Cotton on Feb. 3 at Oaklawn. He broke slowly, had two horses beat early, and rallied to finish two lengths behind winner, Wilbo. Ivan Fallunovalot earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 90.
“Ivan came back good,” Howard said. “We don’t know why he missed the break.”
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Untrapped, winner of last year’s Oklahoma Derby, is being pointed to the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap, trainer Steve Asmussen said.
The race will share a card with the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest Stakes on Feb. 19 at Oaklawn.
Untrapped won the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby in September, and in his most recent start was a close fourth in the $125,000 Fifth Season on Jan. 12 at Oaklawn.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Scott Young, the former jockey who has won the last two training titles at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla., has expanded his presence at Oaklawn.
Young has 20 horses on the grounds this meet, double the normal for the barn. Young’s top local prospects include P C Cowboy, a dead-heat winner of an allowance route last month at Oaklawn, and Jerrid, winner of the Prairie Meadows Mile in June.
Young has another 30 horses in training in Oklahoma for the Will Rogers meet, which opens March 12.
