HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Jockey Ramon Vazquez has jumped out to a fast start at Oaklawn Park, where a recent five-win day has helped lift the Puerto Rico native to the top of the riding charts.
Vazquez, 31, is looking to build on the standout season he closed out at Remington Park on Dec. 14. The rider collected his second straight title at the Oklahoma City track with 90 wins from 435 mounts and accounted for his richest stateside victory in the $250,000 Springboard Mile.
Apprentice jockey Gonzalo Nicolas has been suspended three days for causing interference in the fourth race Feb. 1.
Nicolas, 24, was cited for his ride on Master Master, who finished sixth in a maiden claimer at six furlongs after setting the early pace. Master Master bumped with the eventual fifth-place finisher Warren’s Sunny Boy in the stretch.
Hoop of Colour, a two-time winner in England in 2014, won her American debut Thursday in an optional claimer at 1 1/4 miles on turf.
The win left trainer Graham Motion contemplating a stakes appearance for Hoop of Colour in coming months. One possibility is the $200,000 Santa Ana Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf March 15.
“I think it’s something to consider,” Motion said. “It would be a big step.”
Conquest Two Step, who won the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs Jan. 31, is a candidate for the $200,000 San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs March 7.
Trainer Mark Casse said the additional distance will be an asset for Conquest Two Step, who races for Ernie Semersky and Dory Newell’s Conquest Stables.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Lexie Lou, famous for beating males in the 2014 Queen’s Plate at Woodbine, will miss the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 16 after suffering a minor foot injury in January.
Trainer Mark Casse said Lexie Lou has been plagued in the past by a foot abscess. The 4-year-old filly missed a few days of training after finishing second Jan. 17 in the Grade 2 La Canada Stakes, Casse said. Lexis Lou currently is in light training.
NEW ORLEANS – Trainer Jeff Thornbury, who hasn’t run many horses at the Fair Grounds meet, struck last week for three victories in five starts. He won a race on each of three consecutive days.
The winners were Tonto’s Sister ($10.20) in a maiden-claiming race Jan. 29, Cone of Light ($10.80) in a claiming race Jan. 30, and Quality Indeed ($22.40) in a maiden-claiming race Jan. 31.
NEW ORLEANS – Trainer Grant Forster said he’s going to take a conservative approach with Jerald, who routed first-level optional-claiming rivals Thursday at Fair Grounds. But Forster was thrilled with Jerald’s performance.
“We’ve been high on him all along,” Forster said after Jerald controlled a sharp pace and cruised to a 4 1/4-length victory. He ran the mile and 70 yards in 1:43.45. A 4-year-old Include gelding, Jerald is 2 for 2 at the meet. He won a maiden sprint Jan. 9 in his first start in 10 months.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Todd Pletcher said a stakes race is on the horizon for Madefromlucky, who had to dig deep before edging away to a 1 1/4-length victory over a game Quimet in a 1 1/8-mile entry-level allowance race for 3-year-olds here Wednesday.
The outing was the first for Madefromlucky since being turned over to Pletcher. Cheyenne Stables purchased a majority interest in Madefromlucky following a maiden victory for trainer John Mazza earlier in the meet.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Chad Brown already has the top 3-year-old turf filly in the country, the undefeated Breeders’ Cup winner Lady Eli. On Wednesday here, Brown unveiled another 3-year-old filly prospect, Mrs McDougal, who won her career debut by three lengths as the even-money choice going 1 1/16 miles on turf.
Mrs McDougal is a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro out of the three-time stakes winner Distorted Passion. She is owned by William K. Warren Jr.
