Ivan Fallunovalot Will Not Run in Hot Springs

Multiple stakes winner Ivan Fallunovalot was among seven older sprinters entered in the $100,000 Hot Springs Stakes Saturdayafternoon at Oaklawn, but the decision was made that he would not race after watching him train Thursday morning.

The gelding is battling a quarter-crack in his left front foot and trainer Tom Howard of Hot Springs said he was not happy with how it was holding together. It was decided the best course of action was to scratch and point toward the $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) April 10.

Ivan Fallunovalot, installed as the 7-5 morning line favorite, was scheduled to break from post 3 under regular rider Calvin Borel and carry equal top weight of 122 pounds.

Also entered Saturday were defending Count Fleet winner Alsvid, multiple stakes winner Hebbronville and Subtle Indian, a sharp two-time allowance winner at the meeting. Subtle Indian won the $100,000 Gazebo Stakes last year at Oaklawn.

Racing begins Saturday at 1:05 p.m.

Cox and Landers Making Formidable Team

Trainer Brad Cox said last spring that if prominent Arkansas automobile dealer Steve Landers would be patient, they would win races together. Cox was right.

Cox and Landers have teamed for 15 victories the last 10 months, including five this year at Oaklawn, where Landers begins the week as the meet’s co-third-leading owner.

Landers became Cox’s biggest client after the owner moved 11 horses at Oaklawn into his barn late last March. He was Oaklawn’s fourth-leading owner in 2014 with 11 victories, but was 0 for 18 at the 2015 meeting.

Turn Signal represented Cox’s first starter for Landers April 28 at Churchill Downs. Their first victory together was Riding First ClassMay 22 at Churchill Downs.

“He’s great to work with,” said Cox, who has 12 victories so far this meet. “We’ve got a good friendship/business relationship. It’s working well. We seem to be on the same page, and I think we’re going to have a great year.”

Cox has approximately 13 horses for Landers at Oaklawn, including unbeaten 3-year-old Dazzling Gem, who is scheduled to make his next start in the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) March 19 at Oaklawn. The Rebel is the final major local prep for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) April 16.

Cox is scheduled to send out Twirling Cinnamon, a 3-year-old Twirling Candy colt purchased for $180,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, for his local debut in Saturday’s fourth race, a second-level allowance/optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles. He is coming off a victory in the $50,000 Space City Jan. 30 at Sam Houston Race Park, the first stakes triumph in the Cox/Landers partnership.

“He wants good horses, there’s no doubt,” Cox said. “He’s like everybody. He wants to win races, but, obviously, he’d like to play the high end as well. We’re kind of hoping Dazzling Gem is going to be a nice 3-year-old for us.”

Finish Lines

Oaklawn’s surface was rated good for workouts Thursday morning. It was initially sealed, but harrowed during the renovation break. The track was rated fast to begin Thursday’s nine-race program. … Multiple stakes winner Cabana worked a half-mile in :48.40 after the break Thursday morning at Oaklawn for trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel. …  Trainer Al Cates of Hot Springs said We Be Storminand Mallard’s Bro, third and fifth, respectively, in Sunday’s $100,000 Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes at Oaklawn, will be pointed for the $100,000 Arkansas Breeders’ Stakes (open division) at 1 1/16 miles April 1 at Oaklawn. Mallard’s Bro won the Arkansas Breeders’ Stakes (open division) in 2014. … Trainer Ingrid Mason said Bumpy Cat, runner-up in the 6-furlong Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes, will be pointed for a conditioned allowance sprint.

Source: Oaklawn Park