Flameaway 'doing tremendous' with 4-year-old campaign ahead

John Oxley’s Flameaway, a contender earlier this year in the Kentucky Derby, is working toward a 4-year-old campaign as he comes back from an injury rarely seen in a racehorse.

“He did something funny in his last start – we don’t know whether he did it in his last start or what – but he cracked a rib,” said trainer Mark Casse. "So we ended up bringing him home and just gave him some time off and he’s doing tremendous now.”

Normally known for his consistency, Flameaway ran seventh in his most-recent start, the Aug. 25 Smarty Jones Stakes (G3) at Parx Racing, run as a local prep for the Pennsylvania Derby (G1).

Back on the work tab now, Flameaway has recorded two three-furlong breezes at Casse's training center in Ocala, Fla. His first drill back came Nov. 28, when the son of Scat Daddy was timed in 37.20. Flameaway picked up the pace Dec. 6 and worked in 36.60.

Casse expects to give Flameaway at least one more shot on the dirt, while the colt also experienced success on the turf before hitting the Derby trail. Expect to see the colt at either Fair Grounds or Oaklawn Park after the New Year.

Flameaway sports a career record of 5-3-0 in 13 starts with stakes victories in Saratoga's Skidmore, Keeneland's Bourbon (G3), Gulfstream's Kitten's Joy and Tampa Bay Downs' Sam F. Davis (G3). He also ran second in a trio of Grade 2 events for sophomores, the Tampa Bay Derby, Blue Grass Stakes and Jim Dandy.