Havre de Grace Assigned 123 for Apple Blossom
2011 Horse of the Year and defending Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) champion Havre de Grace tuned up for a possible defense of her title this Friday with a five furlong breeze in 1:02 1/5 under jockey Jenna Joubert. Trainer Larry Jones said that the work was a little slower than they had wanted and he would now confer with owner Rick Porter before making a final decision.
“It was a good work, but slower than Larry wanted,” said Joubert, who also was Havre de Grace’s regular work rider last winter. “That’s just her. She just gets here and gets very relaxed. I’ve been jogging her all week and I can tell she’s very fresh. She galloped out super. She’s a more forward horse this year and I think she’s even bigger.”
Jones, who was not in town for the work, added that his wife Cindy said she was hardly blowing after the work and didn’t drink any water.
Should she start as the 123 lb. high weight in the Apple Blossom, Havre de Grace would concede between six and 11 pounds to her expected competition. Awesome Maria was assigned the next highest weight of 122 pounds, but is not scheduled to start in the race.
The defending Horse of the Year was weighted at 118 lbs. for the $400,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) against males. This is the same weight as Donn Handicap winner Hymn Book and Santa Anita Handicap winner Ron the Greek and two pounds less than high weight Mission Impazible. The Oaklawn Handicap is the day after the Apple Blossom on the undercard of the Arkansas Derby.
Apple Blossom Weights:
Havre de Grace 123
Awesome Maria 122
It’s Tricky 119
Plum Pretty 117
Tiz Miz Sue 115
Absinthe Minded 114
Twelve Twenty Two 113
She’s All In 112
Holy Heavens 111
Soaring Goddess 110