Achiever’s Legacy Ships to Oaklawn for Fantasy
Achiever’s Legacy is scheduled to make her second start outside California in Saturday’s $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles. A partnership that includes Richard Robertson of Camden, Ark., privately purchased Achiever’s Legacy after she beat males in her June 27 career debut, a five-furlong turf race, at Gulfstream Park in Florida.
Achiever’s Legacy was subsequently transferred to Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in Southern California, where the daughter of City Zip has made her last seven starts. She arrived late Tuesday morning at Oaklawn.
“To get to run in the Fantasy, we didn’t know that when we bought her, obviously,” Robertson said before Achiever’s Legacy went to the track to train Thursday morning. “It’s always the plan. I’ve been pretty fortunate to get these horses in these races.”
Robertson campaigned stakes winner Brown Almighty (ninth in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf) early in his career and still co-owns multiple stakes winner Delta Flower, the 2014 Arkansas-bred Horse of the Year.
Achiever’s Legacy scored her biggest career victory in the $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes Nov. 16 at Del Mar. In her last start, she finished fourth in the $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) Feb. 28 at Santa Anita. She was nominated to the $150,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) March 7 at Oaklawn, but her connections decided to remain on the West Coast for the Santa Ysabel. Now, she’s headed east.
“We just thought the way this track plays, right or wrong, it would be a good fit for her,” Robertson said.
Achiever’s Legacy is scheduled to break from post 8 under Joe Rocco Jr. and carry equal top weight of 121 pounds. Robertson said Hollendorfer’s longtime friend, Oaklawn-based trainer Tom Swearingen, will saddle Achiever’s Legacy Saturday. The filly went into Swearingen’s barn after arriving Tuesday.
Finish Lines
Although a severe thunderstorm struck late Wednesday afternoon, the track was rated fast for workouts Thursday morning. … Trainer Will VanMeter said he will run March 14 allowance winner Pearl Turn, assuming she emerges from a weekend work in good shape physically, in the $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 10. … Co-owner/trainer Doug Anderson said Sugar Shock has been nominated to the 6-furlong Carousel as a backup plan to the Apple Blossom, the multiple stakes winner’s intended target. Anderson said he plans to work Sugar Shock this weekend. … Sunday maiden winner Hillbilly Style will be pointed for the $100,000 Northern Spur Stakes April 11, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Thursday morning. … Lukas said sharp Wednesday entry-level allowance winner Henry Jones will “probably” be wheeled back in the $250,000 Lexington Stakes (G3) April 11 at Keeneland. A Triple Crown nominee, Henry Jones was making his first start since Oct. 22 because of a shin issue, Lukas said. Henry Jones covered 6 furlongs over a fast track in 1:10.07. “It was a pretty impressive comeback race,” Lukas said. “Running 1:10, I think he probably earned his way into the Lexington.” … Mr. Z has resumed training at Oaklawn following his last-place finish in the $750,000 Louisiana Derby (G2) Saturday at Fair Grounds. Lukas said he has no explanation for the colt’s poor performance, but added the blinkers off experiment didn’t work. Lukas said owner Ahmed Zayat will evaluate this weekend’s three major Kentucky Derby prep races before a decision is made on Mr. Z’s next start. Zayat also owns Kentucky Derby candidates American Pharoah and El Kabeir.