Defending Champion Untapable Works for Apple Blossom

Champion Untapable worked a half-mile in :50 over a fast track Sunday morning at Oaklawn for trainer Steve Asmussen in advance of Friday’s $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) for older fillies and mares.

Untapable, last year’s Apple Blossom winner, is coming off a runner-up finish in her 2016 debut, the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) March 19 at Oaklawn. The Azeri is the final major local prep for the Apple Blossom.

Untapable will be the 120-pound starting high weight for the Apple Blossom. Also scheduled to run in the Apple Blossom are Azeri winner Call Pat (119 pounds), Tara’s Tango (119), Include Betty (119), Forever Unbridled (117), Streamline (115) and Theogony (114).

Include Betty won last year’s $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn. Tara’s Tango won the $500,000 Santa Margarita Stakes (G1) March 19 at Santa Anita in her last start. She is scheduled to arrive Wednesday in Hot Springs following a flight originating in Southern California.

Finish Lines

Multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Marquee Miss is pointing for the $200,000 Eight Belles (G2) for 3-year-old fillies May 6 at Churchill Downs, trainer Ingrid Mason said Saturday morning. Marquee Miss won the $100,000 Dixie Belle Stakes and $100,000 Martha Washington Stakes earlier this year at Oaklawn. … Multiple stakes winner Kiss Moon is fine physically after a last-place finish in an allowance/optional claimer Thursday at Oaklawn, four-time Oaklawn training champion David Vance said Sunday morning. Vance said Kiss Moon will return to turf in a May 20 allowance race at Churchill Downs, then point for the $100,000 Mint Julep Handicap on the grass June 11 at Churchill Downs. Kiss Moon was runner-up in the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) in 2014 at Oaklawn. … Trainer Ralph Irwin said multiple stakes winner, The Pickett Factor, is being freshened after running fifth in a March 5 allowance/optional claimer at Oaklawn. Irwin said next-race plans are pending for The Pickett Factor, a debut winner at the 2015 Oaklawn meeting. … After having a division in Hot Springs the last two years, high-percentage trainer Robertino Diodoro said he plans to return to Oaklawn in 2017. Diodoro’s Oaklawn division, under the direction of Rob Atras, finished 9 of 33 last season and is 20 of 62 this year. “Rob’s done an awesome job,” said Diodoro, Oaklawn’s co-fifth-leading trainer this year. “I’ve got to give him a lot of credit. He’s made the right moves at the claim box, and the support of the owners has definitely helped, too.” Diodoro’s Oaklawn division is headed by Subtle Indian, the 2-1 program favorite for today’s $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) for older horses. Subtle Indian is trying to become the meet’s first four-time winner. … Jockey Jon Court will replace jockey Corey Nakatani on California shipper Cautious Giant in the Count Fleet. Seven older filly and mare sprinters are entered in Thursday’s $150,000 Carousel Stakes at Oaklawn: Dancing Diva, Ghost Locket, Super Saks, Haveyougoneaway, Wrath of Ruthie, Be Proud and Harbour Island.

Source: Oaklawn Park